[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] KF-21 Production to Begin Next Year

Defense Acquisition Program Administration Approves This Year's Mass Production Plan in National Assembly Report

Starting next year, the domestically produced supersonic fighter jet KF-21 "Boramae" is expected to enter mass production. If the mass production plan is approved in December this year, initial deployment will be possible by the second half of 2026.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 23rd, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reported to the National Assembly's National Defense Committee that they are pushing to complete the "Interim Combat Suitability Assessment" by May in order to begin KF-21 mass production next year.

The original schedule for the interim combat suitability assessment was set for the end of November this year, but it was reportedly moved up by six months to ensure that the budget for mass production would be reflected next year.

Even with the earlier timing of the "Interim Combat Suitability Assessment," the overall schedule remains unchanged. According to DAPA, the KF-21 has accumulated a total of 142 flight records as of the 10th of this month, following its maiden flight in July last year and breaking the sound barrier in January this year. So far, four prototype aircraft have been deployed for test flights.

DAPA also reported plans to promote "International Joint Research and Development through Integrated Offset Trade," which consolidates offset trades conducted by weapon system projects at the company level. This plan integrates individual offset trades with the U.S. defense contractor Boeing to significantly increase added value and promote international joint research and development for future weapon systems.

DAPA will conduct research led by the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute to discover related projects by September and plans to select international joint research and development target projects within the year. Additionally, the report included plans to innovate acquisition systems for the rapid deployment of advanced weapon systems.

DAPA is establishing a "Rapid Requirement" system to shorten deployment periods and is promoting rapid deployment through pilot projects. The Rapid Requirement is an acquisition pathway that applies mature technology to quickly deploy weapon systems within five years. Rapid deployment through pilot projects allows the military to create innovative requirements through trial operation and, if decided as an urgent requirement, applies shortened procurement procedures to achieve deployment within two years.

DAPA also stated that it will consider exempting feasibility studies for urgent security projects and raising the standards for preliminary feasibility studies.