KF-21 rollout marks start of defense independence

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KF-21 rollout marks start of defense independence

Published: 26 Mar. 2026, 00:00

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

President Lee Jae Myung delivers remarks at a ceremony marking the rollout of the first mass-produced KF-21 fighter jet at Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang, on March 25. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Korea’s first domestically developed multirole fighter, the KF-21, marked a milestone this week as its first mass-produced unit was rolled out. The Air Force plans to deploy a total of 120 KF-21 jets starting in September after completing performance evaluations.

The rollout comes 25 years after then-President Kim Dae-jung first outlined a vision for a homegrown fighter program in March 2001, placing Korea among a limited group of nations capable of producing advanced combat aircraft.

President Lee Jae Myung said at the ceremony on Tuesday that Korea has now secured the means to defend peace “in the air with [its] own technology and determination,” following similar capabilities on land and at sea. The KF-21 program is intended to replace aging F-4 and F-5 aircraft that long served as the backbone of the Air Force. The project required an investment of 8.1 trillion won ($5.5 billion).

The program, however, faced significant skepticism. Critics questioned whether Korea could successfully develop an advanced fighter jet on its own. The process was further complicated when the United States declined to transfer four key technologies, including active electronically scanned array radar, infrared search and track systems, electro-optical targeting equipment and radio frequency jammers. Despite these challenges, the development timeline was shortened by about 18 months, demonstrating the growing capabilities of Korea’s defense industry.

Still, the rollout should not be seen as a final achievement. While the KF-21 incorporates advanced systems, it falls short in several areas compared to fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35. Leading military powers are already focusing on the development of sixth-generation aircraft, underscoring the need for continued advancement.

Korea must now work to increase the localization rate of KF-21 components, currently around 65 percent, to improve cost competitiveness and technological independence. Efforts are also needed to upgrade the platform toward fifth-generation capabilities. President Lee said the government will accelerate investment in advanced aviation engines, materials and components to support sustained industrial growth.

At the same time, broader questions of defense autonomy remain. The United States has at times redeployed key assets from the Korean Peninsula, including components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, system. This has heightened concerns about relying too heavily on external capabilities.

In that context, strengthening domestic capabilities across multiple areas of advanced weaponry has become increasingly important. The KF-21 program represents a significant step forward, but it also highlights the need for sustained commitment to innovation and self-reliance.

Rather than marking the completion of a national goal, the rollout of the first KF-21 should be seen as the beginning of a longer process.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.