First production KF-21 rolled out

KAI's twin-seat KF-21 prototype No 06 was built to train pilots and test weapons and avionics. The first production KF-21 is also a two-seat variant. The aircraft will almost certainly be used to train additional RoKAF personnel to operate the platform. (DAPA)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has rolled out the first production KF-21 ‘Boramae' 4.5-generation fighter aircraft, which will enter service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) later in 2026.

The aircraft was presented at KAI's production facility at Sacheon, South Gyeongsang province, southeastern South Korea, on 25 March 2026. The first production aircraft, which is a two-seater aircraft, carried an official RoKAF tail number 26-001.

The KF-21 is capable of a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and of carrying up to 7.7 tons of weaponry. Following its handover to the RoKAF, the aircraft will be delivered to the service in the second half of 2026, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has previously said.

Janes previously reported that the manufacturing of the first production aircraft began in July 2024. The unit reached its final assembly stage in May 2025, according to the South Korean MND.

President Lee Jae-myung, who attended the roll-out ceremony, said that the KF-21 had garnered interest from other countries around the world even before the roll-out of the first unit. He attributed external interest to the aircraft's “performance, low maintenance costs, and the high scalability of its airframe platform”.

Local media reports have said that Indonesia will sign a contract for 16 KF-21 aircraft during a visit by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Seoul from 31 March to 2 April.