South Korea inducts first locally developed fighter jet into air force

SINGAPORE — South Korea has inducted its first locally developed fighter jet into service, marking a significant milestone for its domestic defense industry.

The first Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 was handed over to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Tuesday, flying from the manufacturer’s facilities at Saechon to its new base at Yechon, the service announced Wednesday.

“The KF-21, born after overcoming countless challenges and obstacles, has been delivered to the Air Force today and has begun its flight operations,” said ROKAF Chief of Staff Gen. Son Seok-rak, according to a translation of the announcement.

ROKAF’s 156th Fighter Squadron — which was reestablished earlier this year after disbanding in 2012 — will be the first unit to operate the aircraft, the announcement says.

“The delivery of this first mass-produced unit is a historic milestone in achieving self-reliant national defense; it signifies that the Republic of Korea has proven its independent capability to develop and mass-produce advanced fighter jets and has taken the first step toward full-scale operational deployment,” said the head of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration Lee Yong-cheol in the announcement.

South Korea has ordered 40 KF-21s in the Block 1 configuration which will be used mainly in the air-to-air role. It is also developing the Block 2 variant which will expand the aircraft’s air-to-ground capabilities with reportedly another 80 Block 2 aircraft being eyed by the ROKAF according to South Korean media reports.

The delivery of the first KF-21 comes after the jet was rolled out at KAI’s Saechon facility in a ceremony in March, with the company having completed its flight test program in January. 

The KF-21 is considered a 4.5-generation fighter jet and will be equipped with a mix of indigenous and Western sensors and weapons in service, including the KGGB precision glide bomb and European MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile, according to the announcement.

KAI is also seeking to win export orders for the KF-21; Indonesia is looking to buy the aircraft directly from South Korea, after giving up plans to manufacture it locally.

Further, Malaysia is reportedly evaluating the aircraft, and the Philippines has shown interest in the program as well.