First production KF-21 Boramae delivered to the South Korean air force

Korea Aerospace Industries/KF-21 Boramae

The air force accepted its first serial KF-21, a two-seat Block I jet with tail number 25-001, and flew it from KAI's Sacheon plant to Yecheon Air Base. It joins the 156th Fighter Squadron, reactivated in June 2026 as the first KF-21 unit. The Philippines is reported to be weighing the jet.

• Tail number 25-001, flown by Maj. Han Jae-seok to Yecheon Air Base.
• Assigned to the 156th Fighter Squadron, 16th Fighter Wing.
• Prototypes logged 2,000+ flight hours through 2025.
• Plan: 40 Block I by 2028, 80 Block II by 2032.
• A Korean KTF16000 engine (16,000 lbf dry) is in development for a later stealthier version.