The first mass-produced KF-21 was unveiled at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, on March 25. Yonhap News

The KF-21 "Boramae," a Korean-developed supersonic fighter jet whose weapons system development began in 2015, held a rollout ceremony for its first mass-production unit on March 25, 2026, 10 years and six months later. In late July, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) plans to hold a "Ceremony Marking the Completion of KF-21/IF-X System Development," a joint international development project between Korea and Indonesia, with key officials including the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in attendance.

With full-scale mass production of the KF-21 Boramae underway, the first mass-production unit is scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force for the first time this September. As the KF-21 Boramae emerges as a flagship weapons system for the Korean defense industry, the defense sector's attention is focused on which country will become its first export destination. In May, KAI President Kim Jong-chul noted that "more than 200 units of the KF-21 are currently in export talks."

Indonesia, the KF-21 development partner, is the top potential customer. Indonesia initially planned to cover about 20% of the total development cost and introduce up to 48 fighters, but it revised the contract by reducing its contribution to 600 billion won and narrowing the scope of technology transfer, and has recently been negotiating the export of completed aircraft. The expected volume is 16 units, with a contract worth about 3 trillion won.

The UAE, the Philippines, and Malaysia are being mentioned as potential adopters. If KAI sets a record with the first KF-21 export in the aviation sector of the Korean defense industry, the UAE is prominently cited as the next export target. In May 2025, the UAE's deputy defense minister and air force and air defense commander visited KAI's headquarters and personally boarded a KF-21 prototype.

The Philippines, which is pursuing an air force modernization program (introducing 12 to 20 multi-role fighters), is also an export candidate. Since the Philippines has experience purchasing the FA-50 from KAI, which developed and produced the KF-21, it has the advantage of being able to utilize its existing operating system. According to local media, the two sides are holding discussions that include financial support and plans to establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities.

Malaysia is also one of the candidates with a high likelihood of export, as it is pursuing a next-generation multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) program to replace aging fighters. It is reported to be considering the introduction of about 30 KF-21s, but this has not yet been formalized as an official project.

The South Korean supersonic fighter jet KF-21 "Boramae" fires flares in flight. Photo courtesy of the Air Force

Foreign media reports have also emerged suggesting that the KF-21 Boramae fighter has the potential to create a sensation in the global defense market beyond Southeast Asia, further raising expectations for overseas exports.

Defense Security Asia (DSA), a Malaysian defense and security media outlet, recently assessed that "Korea's KF-21 Boramae is rapidly emerging as a strategic third-option multi-role fighter for ASEAN and Gulf region air forces," adding that "Korea is securing a position to challenge the fighter export dominance of the United States, Europe, Russia, and China on the Indo-Pacific battlefield."

The outlet estimated the KF-21's performance and price as follows: "The Block I, focused on air-to-air missions, is priced at about $83 million (approximately 124 billion won), while the Block II, which adds air-to-ground capabilities, is priced at about $112 million (approximately 167 billion won)."

The supersonic KF-21 has a top speed of Mach 1.81 (about 2,200 km per hour) and a range of 2,900 km. It is classified as a 4.5-generation fighter comparable to the U.S. F/A-18E/F, France's Rafale, and Europe's Eurofighter. Only eight countries have succeeded in developing supersonic fighters of the 4.5-generation or higher: the United States, China, Russia, Japan, France, Sweden, the European consortium (Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain), and Korea.

A defense industry official said, "The atmosphere suggests that news of the KF-21 Boramae's first export contract will be announced soon, and I understand there is a lot of interest, centered on Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries." The official added, "It can become a 'third option' that considers both performance and price, positioned between America's expensive fifth-generation fighters and Russian- and Chinese-made fighters, so once the first export case emerges, it will become a star product for the Korean defense industry in the future."