KAI KF-21 Boramae

Overview

The KAI KF-21 Boramae (Korean: KF-21 보라매; KF-21 Fighting Hawk; formerly KF-X; commonly KF-21) is a South Korean fighter aircraft. The initial goal of the program was developing an indigenous multirole fighter for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The airframe adopts semi-stealth technology with partially embedded external weapons, with full stealth capability—including internal bays—planned for the KF-21EX variant. The KF-X is South Korea's second domestic fighter jet development program, following the FA-50. The program is led by the South Korean government, which holds 60% of the shares. The remaining 20% is held by the manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with Indonesia holding the final 20% stake. Later, in August 2024, Indonesia's stake was reduced to 7.5% due to Indonesian government request. In April 2021, the first prototype was completed and unveiled during a rollout ceremony at the headquarters of KAI at Sacheon Airport. It was named the Boramae. The first test flight was on 19 July 2022. The serial production started in July 2024. Forty Block I units are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2026; the Republic of Korea Air Force expects to deploy 120 Block II units by 2032. It will also be available for export. The Republic of Korea Air Force will initially begin replacing its F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II jets with KF-21s, which will eventually also replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15K Slam Eagle in service.