Full-scale Production of Domestic Fighter KF-21 Begins... Assembly of First Unit Starts

Domestic supersonic fighter jet KF-21 has officially entered mass production.

On the 17th, the domestically produced supersonic fighter jet KF-21 was unveiled at the 'Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on the 10th, a KF-21 mass production kickoff meeting was held at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Development Center located in Sacheon, Gyeongnam. The meeting shared overall project plans including the production of the aircraft body, engine, and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Additionally, task assignments by field such as process management, shape and quality control, and parts obsolescence management, as well as cooperation matters among related organizations, were discussed.

KAI, the manufacturer of the KF-21, held a ceremony to commemorate the start of assembly of the first mass-produced unit and showcased domestically developed state-of-the-art automated equipment to the meeting attendees.

Earlier, on March 22, DAPA approved the initial mass production plan for 20 KF-21 units at the 160th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee meeting, and on the 25th of last month, signed the first mass production contracts with KAI, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Systems, which respectively manufacture the aircraft, engine, and AESA radar.

DAPA plans to deliver 120 KF-21 units to the Air Force by 2032. The first mass-produced KF-21, which began assembly on this day, will be delivered to the Air Force by the end of 2026.