Final Assembly Begins for First Mass-Produced KF-21

Sequential Delivery of 20 Units Annually After Acceptance Tests Starting Next Year

The first KF-21 unit to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force has entered its final assembly stage. The KF-21 program began its initial mass production in July last year, and the aircraft has now completed its fuselage and wings. It is currently in the phase where electronic equipment and engines are being installed, and the aircraft's operational functions are being tested.

According to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on May 20, a ceremony will be held at the Sacheon plant in South Gyeongsang Province to mark the start of final assembly for the first mass-produced KF-21. Once final assembly of the first unit is complete, it will undergo acceptance tests by the Air Force and is scheduled for delivery to the Air Force in the second half of next year. Starting next year, KAI plans to deliver 20 units sequentially to the Republic of Korea Air Force and supply a total of 120 KF-21 aircraft by 2032. The KF-21 is a fifth-generation fighter jet jointly developed by South Korea and Indonesia, with six prototypes currently undergoing test flights.

The KF-21, developed with domestic technology, has also attracted interest from overseas. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force inspected the fighter jet production facilities last month. The UAE Air Force Commander personally boarded the KF-21, demonstrating significant interest. According to the company, there is a high possibility that this will lead to a future contract.

The UAE, which has been pursuing a next-generation fighter jet acquisition program, has shown interest in the KF-21 since 2023. At IDEX, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East and Africa held in the UAE in February, Major General Al Shamsi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense, visited the KAI booth and received an explanation about manned-unmanned teaming systems and artificial intelligence (AI) pilots that can be applied to the KF-21.

KAI is working to secure the first export contract for the KF-21 within this year. Since fighter jets must operate in squadrons, the initial contract quantity is usually more than 10 units, easily exceeding 1 trillion won in value. In addition to the UAE, KAI is also pursuing KF-21 exports to Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Peru, and Canada.