Korea Aerospace Signs Logistics Support Contract for First Mass-produced KF-21 Fighter Aircraft

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on December 9 that it has signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to provide ongoing logistics support for the KF-21, South Korea's first mass-produced fighter aircraft.

The contract, worth 124.3 billion won ($95 million), will run for three years, from December 2024 to December 2027.

The contract focuses on a Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) system, where KAI will take responsibility for maintaining the KF-21’s operational readiness. Under this system, KAI will ensure that the aircraft has all necessary repair parts available and that maintenance services are efficiently carried out. The PBL system also ties KAI’s performance to incentives or penalties based on how well they maintain the aircraft’s operation rate and reduce maintenance costs. This arrangement is expected to strengthen South Korea’s air power by improving the aircraft’s reliability and lowering its operational expenses.

KAI President Kang Koo-young highlighted that this contract establishes a complete support system for all KAI-produced aircraft, making the KF-21 a key part of South Korea’s future air capabilities. "We will mobilize all of KAI’s follow-up support capabilities to ensure the KF-21, the next-generation core power of the ROK Air Force, delivers optimal performance," Kang said.

KAI has extensive experience in providing logistics support for the South Korean military, having previously signed similar contracts for aircraft like the KT/A-1, T-50, and Surion helicopters. This year, KAI also signed a PBL contract for the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50PH aircraft.

The KF-21 is currently undergoing test flights, having completed half of its 2,000 required test flights, with 1,000 accident-free flights achieved by the end of last month. The aircraft’s development, which began in 2015, is expected to conclude by June 2026, with the first aircraft set to be deployed with the South Korean Air Force that year.