South Korea has completed all flight testing for its next-generation KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, clearing the way for delivery of the domestically developed aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the final test sortie was conducted in mid-January over the Namhae Sea near Sacheon in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, using the program’s fourth prototype.
In total, the development campaign accumulated approximately 1,600 flights over 42 months without a single accident, validating more than 13,000 test parameters and confirming the aircraft’s flight performance and operational capabilities.
Officials noted that expanding test locations and incorporating air-to-air refueling trials enabled the program to conclude flight testing nearly two months ahead of schedule.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is leading the KF-21 program in collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development, supported by 225 domestic companies and more than 10 government-funded research institutes, according to local reports.
Launched in 2015 following decades of preliminary studies, the KF-21 program is intended to replace South Korea’s aging fleet of US-built F-4 and F-5 fighters.
The first Boramae prototype was unveiled in April 2021 and completed its maiden flight in July 2022, while the first production aircraft entered final assembly last year.
DAPA said system development is expected to conclude in the first half of 2026, with deliveries of serial production aircraft scheduled to begin in the latter half of the year.
