South Korea's Air Force takes delivery of its first KF-21 fighter jet

South Korea’s Air Force has received its first production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, a major step as the program moves from development into operational service. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Air Force said the aircraft flew from Korea Aerospace Industries’ plant in Sacheon to an Air Force unit in Yecheon, about 165 km (103 miles) north, escorted by an FA-50 light attack jet, a TA-50 fighter trainer, and a T-50 Golden Eagle trainer. Delivery comes roughly four years and two months after the first prototype’s maiden flight on July 19, 2022. Officials plan to deliver 40 air-to-air KF-21s by 2028, then 80 more by 2032, with more than 100 fielded in phases by the early 2030s.