The Meaning of the Korean Fighter Jet 'KF-21 Boramae'

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]Attention is focused on the background of the naming of the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X), developed with domestic independent technology, as 'KF-21 Boramae.'

On the afternoon of the 9th, President Moon Jae-in officially announced the fighter jet's name as 'KF-21 Boramae' at the rollout ceremony of the first prototype KF-X at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) production plant in Sacheon, Gyeongnam.

The names of weapon systems such as fighter jets are divided into 'official designations,' which consist of a combination of letters and numbers for operational use, support, and documentation purposes, and 'common names,' which serve as nicknames.

For the Korean fighter jet, the official designation was set as 'KF-21,' symbolizing 'a core force for the leap to a 21st-century advanced aerospace force' and 'a domestically produced fighter jet to protect the Korean Peninsula in the 21st century.'

The letter K stands for 'Korea,' F for 'Fighter,' and the number 21 represents the '21st century.' A military official explained, "It signifies the first domestically produced fighter jet leading the battlefield of the 21st century."

The common name 'Boramae' carries the meaning of 'a Korean fighter jet soaring vigorously for future independent defense.' Boramae refers to a fierce hawk raised after capturing a chick less than a year old and is also well known as a wild bird symbolizing the Air Force. Cadets of the Air Force Academy are also called Boramae.

With the rollout of the first prototype on this day, marking Korea's first step in developing a domestically produced fighter jet, Boramae is interpreted to embody the comprehensive meaning and aspiration of the beginning of independent development and the protection of the Korean Peninsula through it.

This Korean fighter jet name was also selected through a public contest. The Air Force finalized the fighter jet's name last year after soliciting suggestions from the general public.

An official from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated, "If the KF-21 development is ultimately successful, our Air Force will play a key role in independent defense with domestically produced aircraft ranging from training (trainer aircraft) to airspace defense (fighter jets), laying the foundation to advance as a strong military on the global stage."