South Korea delivers first mass-produced KF-21 fighter to its Air Force
South Korea handed over its first serial-production KF-21 Boramae fighter to the Air Force, which then flew the jet on its inaugural sortie.
In a ceremony at the Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. facility in Sacheon, the first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae was officially transferred to the South Korean Air Force and immediately launched on its maiden flight toward Yecheon. The event featured a fly-by of an FA-50 light attack jet, a TA-50 trainer and a T-50 Golden Eagle to mark the occasion. Gen. Son Sug-rag, the Air Force chief of staff, declared the handover a turning point, calling on pilots to safeguard the nation with the new fighter.
The KF-21 program, initiated in 2001 and revived in 2015 with Indonesia, entered serial production in June 2024 after years of delays. The Air Force reactivated the 156th Fighter Squadron to operate the aircraft and plans to field over 100 units by early 2030, with 40 air-to-air models slated for delivery by 2028 and an additional 80 equipped for long-range strikes by 2032.
Why it matters
The delivery marks South Korea’s entry into operating an indigenous advanced fighter, boosting its defense autonomy.
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