The brief

Analyst view

• First production KF-21 handed to the air force on 22 Sep 2026; 40 Block I jets are on order for delivery by 2028.
• Seoul plans 120 KF-21s by 2032. Indonesia is negotiating to buy 16; the Philippines, UAE and Poland are among other reported prospects.
• 2025 revenue was about 3.7 trillion won. The state Export-Import Bank of Korea is the largest shareholder (26.4%).

Technical approach

As reported

Step by step

Build the fighter in blocks

KF-21 starts as a 4.5-generation air-superiority jet (Block I), adds ground attack (Block II), then stealth features like internal weapon bays later.

Home industry

Local supply chain

About 600 Korean suppliers work on the KF-21, with a 65% local-content target; engines are GE designs built under licence by Hanwha Aerospace.

Family of jets

Trainers feed the fighter

Experience from the T-50 trainer and FA-50 light fighter, sold abroad, gave KAI the design and production base for a full combat jet.