South Korea’s defense authorities on Friday approved a plan to begin building 20 KF-21 fighter jets this year — half of what was originally planned — after a report last year called for slashing the homegrown fighter’s initial production volume.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) had sought to sign a contract this year with the jet’s manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., to build 40 KF-21s as the first batch of the advanced fighter under development since 2015.
Under the newly approved plan, DAPA will sign a contract for only 20 units this year and clinch another deal next year for an additional 20 units after further testing, such as on the jet’s air-to-air missile and active electronically scanned array radar capabilities.
The phased production seeks to address concerns raised by the feasibility study over the jet last year that argued for the need for additional tests and suggested the production cut to only 20 units, according to a DAPA official.
“(We) plan to complete v
erification tests by June this year and sign a contract for the remaining 20 units by next February after consultations with relevant agencies,” the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The Defense Project Promotion Committee still approved the entire production plan for a total of 40 KF-21s, which is estimated to cost 7.92 trillion won (US$5.9 billion) and run from this year through 2028.
The DAPA official stressed its commitment to the fighter’s timely deployment, noting the production volume of 40 units remains ultimately unchanged despite the phased contracts.
If the project proceeds as planned, the Air Force is expected to receive its first KF-21 in the second half of 2026. The advanced supersonic fighter is designed to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets.
South Korea seeks to build even more KF-21s and operate a total of 120 units by 2032.
“(We) expect (this project) to contribute to the Air Force’s capabilities by acquiring a Korean-type fighter jet that is capabl
e of joint operations with cutting-edge fighters,” DAPA said in a release.
DAPA has been staging various performance tests on its fleet of six KF-21 prototypes since the first one made its maiden flight in July 2022. Earlier this week, prototype No. 5 successfully conducted its first aerial refueling test.
Meanwhile, defense authorities also approved a 3.89 trillion-won project for performance upgrades to the Air Force’s F-15K fighter jets built by U.S. defense giant Boeing.
The project, which will run through 2034, is designed to improve the F-15Ks’ long-range operational capabilities and armament capacity, according to DAPA.
In addition, the committee endorsed a 680 billion-won project for the state-run Agency for Defense Development to lead development of a shipborne surface-to-ground ballistic missile through 2036.
“Through this project, (we) will be able to acquire deterrence against potential enemy threats and early response capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats in a conting
ency,” it said in a release.
Source: Yonhap News Agency