South Korea Starts Mass Production of Indigenous Stealth Fighter KF-21 Boramae

The Ministry of National Defense of South Korea recently announced an increase in its defense budget for the year 2024, including the initiation of serial production of the new indigenous stealth fighter KAI KF-21 Boramae. This fighter jet is a pivotal component of South Korea's defense strategy.

It's noteworthy that the Korean Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) recommended reducing the initial production quantity from 40 to 20 units due to technical concerns. To address these issues and ensure the continuity of the KF-21 project, the budget incorporates approximately $201 million allocated to its mass production. The Ministry of National Defense aims to commence mass production next year to avert any military capability gap resulting from the obsolescence of older fighter jets in the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF).

The development of the KF-21 has been a focal point for South Korea, with over 140 test flights conducted to date, confirming the jet's basic operational stability and the smooth functioning of its key avionics systems. The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is gearing up for mass production, including provisional combat suitability assessments and feasibility studies.

The integration of the Meteor BVRAAM into the KF-21 signifies a significant milestone as the KF-21 becomes the first non-Western platform to incorporate this advanced European air-to-air weaponry. A live test of the Meteor BVRAAM from a KF-21 is scheduled for early 2024, marking a crucial step in the KF-21 project's development and the integration of this strategic weapon. MBDA, the company behind the Meteor missile, has expressed confidence in the growth prospects of the KF-21 program as it matures.

Manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the KF-21 is an advanced fighter developed through collaborative efforts between South Korea and Indonesia. It's designed to function as both an air superiority fighter and a multi-role combat aircraft. The KF-21 program aims to replace South Korea's aging F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II aircraft with a modern and capable fighter jet.