Key facts
- South Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet made its maiden flight on Tuesday.
- The flight marked the official delivery of the aircraft to the Air Force.
- The first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae flew from Sacheon to Yecheon.
- The KF-21 project dates back to 2001, with the current development phase launched in December 2015 in partnership with Indonesia.
- The Air Force plans to field more than 100 KF-21 jets by early 2030.
- Korea Aerospace Industries will manufacture 40 KF-21s focused on air-to-air capabilities by 2028, followed by 80 additional jets with long-range air-to-ground missiles by 2032.
South Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, named Boramae, completed its first flight on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as part of an official ceremony marking its delivery to the Air Force. The aircraft took off from the Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. manufacturing plant in Sacheon and flew to an Air Force unit in Yecheon. This event represents a significant milestone in South Korea's decades-long endeavor to develop its own advanced fighter aircraft, a project that began as early as 2001 under then President Kim Dae-jung.
The KF-21 project was officially launched in December 2015, in partnership with Indonesia, with the goal of developing a supersonic aircraft to replace aging F-4 and F-5 fighter jets. The first mass-produced KF-21 entered production in June 2024, with Tuesday's delivery occurring approximately two years later.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Son Sug-rag stated that the KF-21's handover to the Air Force marks a new era for the aircraft, transitioning from development to operational use. He urged service members to take pride and responsibility in managing the nation's premier fighter jet.
Since the first prototype was rolled out in April 2021, the KF-21 has undergone extensive testing, receiving combat compatibility certification in May and completing systems development in June. To prepare for the new jet, the Air Force reactivated the 156th Fighter Squadron in June. The Air Force intends to deploy over 100 KF-21 jets in phases by the early 2030s. Korea Aerospace Industries plans to deliver 40 KF-21s with air-to-air capabilities by 2028, followed by 80 additional jets equipped for long-range air-to-ground missions by 2032.