Korea Aerospace Industries’ sixth KF-21 prototype took off from Sacheon City on May 13, 2026, to test the air-to-ground performance of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. (Ministry of National Defense)
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)’s KF-21 “Boramae” fighter jet will serve as the foundation for the future combat capabilities of the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) and will eventually incorporate sixth-generation technology, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced.
The initial version of the KF-21, a 4.5-generation combat platform, is scheduled to enter service with the RoKAF in the second half of 2026. The Air Force plans to evolve the platform into a “fifth-generation fighter with full stealth capabilities, as well as a sixth-generation combat system,” according to the Department of Defense.
janes
previously reported on KAI’s efforts to reduce the platform’s radar cross section to improve low-observability characteristics. The transition to a sixth-generation platform will include “a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and manned-unmanned combined combat systems (MUM-T),” the Pentagon announced on May 15.
first unit
The Pentagon’s statement was released following a media event at KAI’s Sacheon plant, where the company detailed the KF-21’s production infrastructure and long-term program goals. Production of the KF-21 will begin in early 2026, with KAI fielding the first RoKAF-bound aircraft on March 25, 2026.
The first production aircraft is a two-seat version with RoKAF tail number 26-001. The aircraft conducted its first flight on April 22 and has since completed three test flights, the Ministry of Defense announced, adding that a second production KF-21 has also been assembled. “The second aircraft scheduled for its first flight” [in June]is currently undergoing ground engine performance tests,” the Ministry of Defense said.
The remaining 18 aircraft under contract are being assembled at KAI’s fixed-wing production hall in Sacheon.
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