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S. Korea’s KF-21 Fighter Program Faces Cost-Driven Delay Risks
(MENAFN) South Korea’s domestically developed KF-21 Boramae fighter jet program may face schedule delays due to significantly higher-than-expected production costs, according to reports citing Yonhap News and defense procurement documents.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) estimates that the second-phase “Block-II” production stage is now projected to cost about 18.44 trillion won (approximately $12.5 billion), marking an increase of nearly 30% compared to earlier projections of 14.24 trillion won.
Officials attributed the cost escalation to multiple factors, including inflationary pressures, currency depreciation, and disruptions in global supply chains affecting defense manufacturing inputs.
The KF-21 program, launched in 2015, is designed to modernize South Korea’s air force by replacing aging fighter platforms such as the F-4 and F-5. The first prototype was unveiled in 2021, marking a key milestone in the country’s push for indigenous advanced aircraft development.
Under the current production plan, the initial “Block-I” phase includes 40 aircraft primarily focused on air-to-air combat capabilities, with deployment targeted for around 2028. A later “Block-II” phase is intended to add 80 additional aircraft equipped with enhanced strike capabilities, including long-range air-to-ground weapons, with service entry planned for the early 2030s.
However, according to reports, rising costs may force adjustments to the timeline. Authorities are reportedly considering delaying delivery of the first batch by around one year, potentially pushing it to 2029, while the second batch could also enter service two to three years later than originally planned.
The KF-21 is designed as a supersonic multirole fighter capable of speeds approaching Mach 1.8 and a range of nearly 2,900 kilometers. It incorporates advanced avionics such as active electronically scanned array radar systems and is intended to support future upgrades, including potential stealth enhancements.
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