South Korea's 4.5 generation fighter aircraft, KAI KF-21 Boramae managed to make its first flight late yesterday afternoon. The 30 -minute flight was done to test the basic system of the aircraft with it done at low speed and also showed the ability to place four MBDA Meteor missiles were also shown.
The aircraft, which started as a KAI KF-X project, was shown last April. A total of six prototype aircraft will be built with two of them being twin cockpit versions. It also became the world’s first aircraft with a Martin Baker KR18A bouncy seat.
If all goes well, KAI will start production of aircraft starting 2026 with the KF-21 Block 1 variant. A total of 40 KF-21 Block 1 aircraft will be built for the use of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) for air-to-air combat purposes.
Then 80 KF-21 Block 2 aircraft will be built with air-to-ground attack capability by 2028. If the performance of both variants meets ROKAF requirements, KF-21 Block 3 will be developed with it will be South Korea’s first fifth generation aircraft.
Boramae, which means eagle in Korean, is equipped with AESA radar with the ability to use JDAM smart bombs, Meteor missiles and AIM 2000. The development of the aircraft has received criticism for its high cost and the US refusal to allow South Korea to borrow technology such as their AESA virgin.
Apart from that, the project is also joint after Indonesia, which initially agreed to do joint financing, is rumored to want to withdraw. There are reports of Indonesia being late in making payments to South Korea causing the cost to now be fully borne by one country.
This dual-engine fighter aircraft was developed independently by South Korea to replace the aging Northrop F-5 Tiger and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). When it starts operations later, it will operate with the F-35A, F-15K and F-16D in use now.
The aircraft can fly up to Mach 1.83 speeds, operating distances up to 2900 km and weapon payloads up to 7700 kg. Apart from South Korea and Indonesia, KAI wants to export this aircraft to other countries including Malaysia.