Gen. Lee Young-soo, Chief of Staff of the South Korean Air Force, conducted a test flight of the KF-21, South Korea’s supersonic fighter jet, on Wednesday to evaluate its readiness for operational deployment as it approaches the final stage of development.
According to the South Korean Air Force, Gen. Lee piloted the KF-21 at speeds exceeding 1,000 kilometers per hour at an altitude of approximately 4,500 meters over the southern coast. During the flight, he evaluated the aircraft’s stability in aerial operations and tested its interoperability with the KF-16, the Air Force’s primary fighter jet.
"I am convinced that the KF-21 stands shoulder to shoulder with top-class fighter jets worldwide in terms of power, maneuverability, avionics and weapons capabilities," Lee said. "The KF-21 will enhance the value of Korea’s defense industry and establish itself as a premier fighter aircraft."
He also highlighted the capabilities of the fighter jet's active electronically scanned array radar, noting its accuracy and battlefield awareness.
"As soon as I took off, I could see and track both nearby and distant targets simultaneously on the cockpit display. This radar’s precision and battlefield awareness capabilities are on a different level compared to any I have previously experienced," he said.
Lee is a veteran pilot with over 2,800 flight hours, having operated the Air Force’s primary fighter jets, including the F-5, F-16 and F-15K.
The KF-21, a 4.5-generation supersonic fighter jet, successfully completed its maiden flight in July 2022. Its development, led by Korea Aerospace Industries in collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development, involves approximately 225 domestic companies, 20 government-funded research institutes and multiple universities. The fighter jet’s AESA radar was developed by ADD and is manufactured by Hanwha Systems.
The KF-21 received provisional combat suitability approval in May 2023, followed by the signing of its first mass production contract in June 2024. The aircraft is set to complete around 1,000 additional test flights before its deployment to operational units, scheduled for 2026.
As part of efforts to promote the KF-21 globally, KAI is currently showcasing the fighter jet at IDEX 2025, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from Monday to Friday. The KF-21 is being featured alongside KAI’s other flagship aircraft, including the FA-50 light combat aircraft and the LAH light-armed helicopter.
flylikekite@heraldcorp.com
