KF-21 development programme completes flight tests
The Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 ‘Boramae' development programme conducted about 1,600 sorties over a 42-month period, while employing six prototypes. (Chris Jung/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 ‘Boramae' 4.5-generation fighter aircraft programme has successfully concluded its development flight programme after 42 months of testing, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Acquisition (DAPA) said on 13 January.
The final development-related flight test was completed on 12 January, and involved a flight performance verification mission for the fourth KF-21 prototype, DAPA said, adding that the sortie was conducted over Namhae Island, near Sacheon city. KAI produced six KF-21 prototypes for the development programme, including two dual-seat aircraft.
“With the KF-21's system development due to be completed in the first half of 2026, delivery to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) will take place in the second half,” DAPA said.
According to the agency, the six KF-21 prototypes collectively conducted over 1,600 sorties “without incident” since the type's maiden flight in July 2022. Over 13,000 test conditions were executed during the flight test programme to assess the platform's stability and performance, DAPA said.
The flights assessed various combat capabilities, including air-to-air missile launches, aerial refuelling, high-angle-of-attack (HAOA) manoeuvres, and control recovery at extreme altitudes to demonstrate the aircraft's combat capability as a 4.5-generation fighter, according to DAPA.
“In addition, the flight testing confirmed the operational performance of the platform's core avionics such as active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and electronic warfare (EW) equipment, DAPA said.
In addition, DAPA said that it “significantly improved the efficiency and scope of testing by expanding the test airfield from Sacheon to Seosan and introducing aerial refuelling for the first time in Korea to test flights”.
Go beyond the headlines - with direct links to interconnected entities
Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.
