On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the first production example of the KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft in the Block I air superiority configuration was unveiled at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) facilities in Sacheon. The event took place less than two years after the official start of serial production (July 10, 2024) and marks the culmination of the 25-year development process of the KF-X program, originally announced in 2001.
Photo: Cheong Wa Dae, President Office
The program gained momentum in 2015, when a consortium of KAI and Lockheed Martin was selected as the system contractor. Since the rollout of the Block 0 prototype in April 2021, the platform has undergone a rigorous testing program, including 955 ground tests and 1,601 flight tests.
According to the schedule, 40 aircraft in the Block I configuration will be produced by 2028, primarily intended for air-to-air missions. This will be followed by the production of 80 aircraft in the Block II standard between 2029 and 2032. This upgraded version, thanks to enhancements in AESA radar modes, will gain full capabilities for engaging ground and maritime targets. In total, 120 aircraft of this type will be delivered to the South Korean Air Force.
It is worth highlighting the high level of localization of components. In the first production KF-21 Block I aircraft, the share of domestically produced parts is approximately 65%. Key systems, such as the AESA radar, IRST sensor, EO targeting pod (EO TGP), and electronic warfare suite (EW Suite), were developed locally with support from third parties, following the United States’ refusal to transfer certain technologies.
Due to delays in the integration of U.S.-origin weapons, Block I aircraft will be equipped with European missiles: the MBDA Meteor and the Diehl Defence IRIS-T (AIM-2000). After the completion of certification procedures conducted by KAI and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), the KF-21 is expected to enter operational service in September 2026, enabling the full retirement of the aging Northrop KF-5E/F Tiger II fighters.
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