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2 clusters · 14 sources · 10 days · First seen · Last updated

South Korea KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development

Overview

South Korea has reached major milestones in the development and deployment of its indigenous KF-21 Boramae 4.5-generation fighter jet. Following the successful first flight of the aircraft on a 165-kilometer route from the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) facility to Yecheon Air Base, the program has transitioned from testing into active military service.

On September 22, 2026, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) officially took delivery of the first production model. This aircraft is intended to replace aging fleets, such as the F-4 Phantom and F-5. The jet incorporates significant domestic technology, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

Mass production of the aircraft began in June 2024. The ROKAF plans to deploy more than 100 units by the early 2030s, with a delivery schedule targeting 40 jets by 2028 and an additional 80 units by 2032. The initial group of aircraft will focus on air-to-air combat, while subsequent units will be equipped for long-range air-to-ground missile capabilities.

Entities

KF-21 Boramae · Defense Acquisition Program Administration · Korea Aerospace Industries · Yecheon Air Base · South Korean Air Force

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    South Korea completes first flight of KF-21 Boramae fighter jet

    South Korea's KF-21 Boramae fighter jet completed its first flight from Sacheon to Yecheon, marking a major milestone in the country's domestic military aviation development.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 12 sources
    South Korea receives first production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet

    South Korea has received its first production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, marking the transition of the indigenous combat aircraft program from development to active military service.

Sources

aereo.jor.br · airway.com.br · aviacionline.com · fr.businessam.be · giaoducthoidai.vn · haber.aero · leinetal24.de · milmag.pl · onalert.gr · sofx.com · soha.vn · thanhnien.vn · tz-online.de · vosveteit.zoznam.sk