Korea Aerospace Industries has begun mass production of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet at its assembly facility in Sacheon city [1, 2].
The move marks a critical transition from development to deployment for South Korea's domestic aerospace industry. By accelerating the delivery of these aircraft, the Republic of Korea Air Force can retire aging F-5 fighters more quickly to modernize its aerial defense capabilities [1].
In the first public tour of the production site in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung said that approximately 20 aircraft are currently being assembled [1]. The facility is operating to meet a handover deadline scheduled for September [1].
The KF-21 project represents a significant investment in national security and industrial autonomy. South Korea has ordered 40 aircraft to date [2]. The government plans to purchase an additional 80 jets by the 2030s to ensure a robust fleet of modern multi-role fighters [2].
The production process in Sacheon involves high-precision assembly lines designed to scale the output of the Boramae. This domestic capability reduces reliance on foreign military imports and allows for customized modifications to meet specific regional threats.
Officials said the current production pace is essential for the phased integration of the jets into active squadrons. The transition to mass production ensures that the technical lessons learned during the prototype phase are applied to the final fleet.
“Approximately 20 aircraft are currently being assembled”
The shift to mass production of the KF-21 signals South Korea's emergence as a top-tier global aerospace power. By replacing the obsolete F-5 fleet with domestically produced 4.5-generation fighters, the ROK Air Force gains greater operational independence and reduces its long-term dependence on U.S. aircraft procurement.
