Korea's KF-21 fighter makes progress but Indonesian involvement still in arrears
The third prototype of the KF-21 made a 37-minute first flight on 5 January. (Photo: DAPA)
The third prototype of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet has flown, and supersonic flight will be achieved in Q1 2023. However, the timescale for Indonesia honouring its financial commitments to the programme remains unclear.
On 5 January the third KF-21 Boramae fighter prototype manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) made its maiden flight, staying in the air for 37 minutes.
Six flying prototypes (four single-seaters and two twin-seaters) and two ground-test airframes have been assembled, and up to three sorties are occurring on a daily basis. The second prototype achieved its maiden flight on 10 November, following the first aircraft taking to the air on 19 July 2022.
The KF-21 is due to achieve supersonic flight in a Q1 flight test, according to Eom Dong-hwan, the government minister in charge of DAPA.
The fifth
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV]()
Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV
The air-launched PELE has been designed to extend the sensing capabilities of the MQ-9B and its user service through various payloads.
-
![Spanish Army’s VAMTAC drone acquisition progresses ongoing UAV investment]()
Spanish Army’s VAMTAC drone acquisition progresses ongoing UAV investment
Spain has made clear its intent to acquire a range of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including those that will form part of its wider VAMTAC programme, announced in June 2025.
-
![M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force]()
M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force
The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
