South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae Fighter Is on Track for a 2026 Launch
South Korea believes this new plane will serve as a vital change agent from its U.S.-produced warplanes to a purely South Korean system.
Last month, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) enjoyed a major milestone in their domestically produced KF-21 Boramae warplane program. At that time, the KF-21 finalized its fuselage mating process—meaning that the program is meeting its benchmarks for the first crop of jets to enter South Korea’s air force at the end of next year.
According to KAI, the production schedule for this most important South Korean program remains “on track.”
If all goes according to the plan, South Korea plans to acquire at least 120 of the KF-21 Boramae warplanes by 2032. What’s more, the plane has piqued the interest of foreign nations, such as Indonesia, who are looking to buy new tranches of advanced warplanes.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae prototype successfully performed an air-to-air refueling at night. The experimental South Korean warplane successfully made contact with the boom of an Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
The trade publication Flight Global reports that, “The night refueling milestone comes just one year after the fifth KF-21 prototype conducted the type’s first air-to-air refueling.”
About the KF-21 Boramae Fighter
Described as a 4.5-generation multirole fighter—meaning that it incorporates several features of the powerful fifth-generation warplanes, such as stealth, but it technically remains a fourth-generation warplane model. The plane is powered by two General Electric F414 engines, delivering a range of about 1,801 miles and a payload of up to 16,975 pounds. Seoul is already eyeing eventually replacing the U.S.-made GE engines with indigenous systems, to enhance the program’s self-reliance.
In terms of armaments, the jet will carry air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. Its AESA radar, developed by Hanwha Systems, enhances target detection and situational awareness. Furthermore, this system is designed to integrate with South Korea’s growing network of drones and satellites.
South Korea Dreams of Military Self-Reliance
South Korea believes this new plane will serve as a vital change agent from its U.S.-produced warplanes to a purely South Korean system. That’s because Seoul wants to become as self-sufficient as possible. In the era of Trump, this goal is more urgent than ever.
Frankly, Seoul can no longer rely upon U.S. security guarantees as they once did. Even if they could, their physical geography being on the bottom of an isolated peninsula, with the northern half arrayed against them, means that South Korea must be able to build and sustain its forces in a time of war. The KF-21 is a step in the right direction.
Unlike so many American weapons development programs, the KF-21 has met all its benchmarks thus far. If that continues, South Korea will have its first advanced indigenously produced warplane. In fact, their system will be so good that other countries, as noted above, will want to purchase it.
This is all happening at a time when North Korea is becoming more belligerent, and its own military is getting better technologically. Indeed, concerns over a possible North Korean attack on the South are at the highest levels in almost a decade. South Korea, therefore, must enhance their domestic defense industrial base and the KF-21 is an outgrowth of those needs.
The KF-21 is a Brilliant Plane
Thus far, South Korea has proven it has a strong defense industrial base that can meet its needs. Its mass production of a 4.5-generation warplane is impressive enough. But if Seoul can keep the production schedule on track for achieving 120 units by 2032, then they will have achieved something that few modern nations can: keeping an advanced weapons platform on time and on budget. Even the United States cannot do this.
So Seoul’s accomplishment is truly impressive—and its leaders should be proud of what they have achieved. What’s more, they should build off these successes to turn the nation into a major arms exporter.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Ju Jae-young.