Aviation News – South Korea has officially completed the KF-21 Boramae flight test program after 1,600 sorties, clearing the way for deliveries to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) starting in 2026 and advancing development toward Block 2 capability.
The milestone marks a critical step in South Korea’s drive to field an indigenous fighter and strengthen national airpower while reducing reliance on foreign platforms.
The KF-21 Boramae, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the ROKAF, concluded its comprehensive flight test campaign following years of incremental trials. The program’s completion confirms the aircraft’s baseline performance and systems maturity, enabling the transition from testing to initial operational deployment and continued development of enhanced variants.
The flight test effort validated key elements including flight handling, avionics integration, sensors, and weapons compatibility. Accumulating 1,600 sorties demonstrates program depth and reliability, supporting readiness for serial production aircraft and informing upgrades planned under the Block 2 configuration.
