Nöbetçi Eczaneler
Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI) has signed its second production contract for the domestically developed KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. According to the press release, KAI and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) have agreed on a contract worth 2.39 trillion won (1.76 billion USD) to produce 20 additional KF-21 aircraft.
The contract also includes logistical support services such as technical manuals and training programs.
This new agreement follows the initial contract signed in June 2024 for the first batch of 20 jets. Under the current schedule, KAI plans to begin delivering the first fighter jets to the South Korean Air Force in the second half of 2026.
KF-21 Program
The KF-21 program was launched in 2015 as a joint project between South Korea and Indonesia to develop a supersonic fighter jet to replace the aging F-4 and F-5 fleets.
The platform is designed to enhance air superiority and strike capabilities with advanced avionics, domestic sensors, and multirole functionality.
According to KAI, six prototypes have been undergoing flight tests since the first prototype’s maiden flight in July 2022. These tests, overseen by DAPA, are part of a broader effort to validate the KF-21’s performance before full-scale production and integration into the Air Force.
The aircraft is expected to serve as a bridge between fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, featuring stealth-reducing characteristics while maintaining affordability and ease of maintenance.