KF-21 Production To Begin This Year DAPA Officials Say
The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) officials claim that the KF-21 production may start in 2024. The “Boramae” fleet of six jets will continue extensive tests throughout next month. If the requirements for operations in extreme conditions are met, production of the KF-21 will be able to commence.
The Korean Aerospace Industry’s (KAI) fighter jet development program formerly known as KF-X, was announced more than 20 years ago, with the first prototype aircraft rolling out in April 2021. KAI aims to deliver a 5th generation multirole fighter jet, domestically produced in Korea, as competition to other platforms available on the market. The complex research and development of the aircraft, various improvements, and extensive testing means the aircraft is only now approaching readiness for production.
Last year, German-made air-to-air missiles were tested for integration with the KF-21 platform including the IRIS-T launch along with several other weapons systems manufactured by MBDA, such as ASRAAM, SPEAR, and BRIMSTON under the agreement signed in November. DAPA Director Eom Dong-hwan said: “We will continue to verify the performance of the KF-21 through major flight tests such as aerial refueling tests and air-to-air missile launch tests.”
The KF-21 project reportedly achieved “tentative” combat sustainability in May 2023, meaning that the mass production of the jet can commence even before the prerequisite of all six of the prototypes in service achieving all combat requirements is met. This decision opened the gate for both DAPA and KAI to secure funding for serial production.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry has allotted a 238.7 billion won ($178.6 million) for production of aircraft, even as the engineering and manufacturing phase continues into 2026. It is likely that by the end of development the KF-21 will receive internal bays for carrying weapons, making it a complete 5th generation fighter. South Korea is expected to deploy 120 KF-21 by the year 2032.