First Flight of South Korean KF-21 Fighter Jet by Air Force Chief

South Korea’s Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su piloted his first test flight of the KF-21 fighter jet Wednesday, as the military prepares to induct the domestically developed aircraft next year.

Lee flew the KF-21 from an air base in Sacheon, about 291 kilometers south of Seoul, reaching a speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 4,500 meters over waters off South Korea’s southern coast, the Air Force said. The KF-16, a U.S.-made fighter that serves as the Air Force’s mainstay aircraft, accompanied the flight to assess the KF-21’s operational capabilities alongside existing jets.

South Korea launched the KF-21 program in 2015 to replace its aging fleet of American-made fighters, including the F-5. Korea Aerospace Industries, the aircraft’s manufacturer, began production in July and plans to deliver the first batch of jets to operational units in 2026.

Following his flight, Lee expressed confidence in the KF-21, stating that its power, maneuverability, avionics, and weapons systems could match those of leading fighter jets worldwide. "In terms of power, maneuverability, avionics and weapon capabilities, I am confident that the KF-21 will stand shoulder to shoulder with world-class fighter jets," Lee was quoted as saying by South Korean media after the test flight.

Once completed, the KF-21 will position South Korea among a limited group of nations, including the United States and Russia that have independently developed supersonic fighter aircraft.