South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has declared the KF-21 Boramae fully combat suitable, completing nearly three years of evaluation since a provisional assessment in May 2023.
The announcement on May 7, 2026, confirms that the KF-21 Block I, optimized for air-to-air missions, meets the Republic of Korea Air Force’s operational requirements and demonstrates the stability needed for real battlefield conditions. This approval follows over 1,600 test flights across approximately 13,000 conditions, including aerial refueling, weapons firing, high-angle-of-attack maneuvers, and extreme weather simulations like heavy rain and icing.
Classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, the KF-21 achieves a top speed of Mach 1.81 and an operational range of about 2,900 kilometers. It is powered by two General Electric F414 engines and features a domestically developed active electronically scanned array radar from Hanwha Systems.
System development will conclude in June 2026, with the first mass-produced aircraft, rolled out on March 25, 2026, at Korea Aerospace Industries facilities, scheduled for delivery to the air force in the second half of the year. The air force plans to acquire 120 units, starting with 40 Block I variants by 2028, followed by 80 Block II aircraft with air-to-ground and anti-ship capabilities from early 2027.
The KF-21 will replace aging F-4 and F-5 fighters.