South Korea’s air force has received its first production KF-21 Boramae fighter from Korea Aerospace Industries, with the aircraft handed over at the company’s Sacheon plant and then flown to Yecheon Air Base, where it will enter service with the reactivated 156th Fighter Squadron. The delivery of aircraft 26-001 on 22 September moves the indigenous combat jet from development into operational use and begins the build-up toward more than 100 aircraft planned for phased introduction through the early 2030s.
Several reports identified Maj. Han Jae-seok as the pilot who signed the acceptance documents and ferried the twin-seat fighter to its first operational base. The air force plans to use Yecheon as the KF-21’s initial home while pilot transition and maintenance training continue, with initial operational capability targeted for the second half of 2027. The delivery flight was accompanied by FA-50, TA-50 and T-50 aircraft, highlighting the wider Korean-built training and light-combat fleet supporting the programme.