{
  "id": "kf-21-boramae",
  "name": "KF-21 Boramae",
  "aliases": [
    "KF-21 Hunting Hawk",
    "KF-X",
    "KAI KF-21 Boramae"
  ],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "KOR",
  "category": "Fighter aircraft",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2026,
  "operators": [
    "KOR"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The KF-21 Boramae South Korean Fighter Aircraft is South Korea’s new indigenous 4.5‑generation twin‑engine multirole fighter, developed mainly for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) with Indonesian participation and now entering frontline service as of 2026.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Korea Aerospace Industries",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hardpoints",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "10 (6 under-wing hardpoints and 4 under-fuselage hardpoints",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 16.9,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 4.7,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 11.2,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Wingspan"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Wing area",
      "section": "dims",
      "v": "46.5 m2",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 11800,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Empty weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 17200,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Gross weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "2 × General Electric F414-GE-400K",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "57.8 kN (13,000 lbf) thrust each, dry, 97.9 kN (22,000 lbf) with afterburner",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_km",
      "v": 1000,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "note": "1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_kt",
      "v": 2200,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "low",
      "note": "Automated check: outside the expected range for this type; verify against the source."
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Ferry range",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "2,900 km (1,800 mi, 1,550 nmi)",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "G limits",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "+9.0",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 16800,
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Stealth Properties",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The KF‑21 has a reduced‑radar‑signature airframe with stealth‑influenced shaping, though it carries weapons on external hardpoints rather than internal bays in current blocks.",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chaff / flares",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armament and weapons integration",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "The KF‑21 carries an internal 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon, mounted with approximately 480 rounds for close‑range engagements and strafing.",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "KF-21 Block I",
      "text": "Block I is the initial production KF‑21 configuration, optimized for air‑to‑air missions as a 4.5‑generation “semi‑stealth” fighter, carrying Meteor and IRIS‑T missiles on semi‑recessed belly stations and wing pylons.",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "KF-21 Block II",
      "text": "Block II uses the same airframe but adds full multirole capability with a wider set of precision air‑to‑ground and anti‑ship weapons, and Block I aircraft can be upgraded to Block II largely via software and systems integration.",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "KF-21 Block III / KF‑21EX",
      "text": "Block III (sometimes referred to by the project name KF‑XX) is planned as a significantly more advanced “5+ generation” evolution with internal weapons bays, improved stealth (including radar‑absorbent coatings), and upgraded AESA radar and avionics.",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "KF‑21EA",
      "text": "South Korea is developing a dedicated electronic warfare variant designated KF‑21EA, based on a highly modified two‑seat KF‑21B airframe with a specialized rear cockpit for an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO).",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "KF‑21SA",
      "text": "The KF‑21SA variant is being designed specifically for export customers, retaining the core performance and airframe of ROKAF versions but allowing flexible customization of weapons, sensors, and internal equipment to match each country’s requirements.",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "KF‑21B",
      "text": "A KF‑21B-based variant is planned for the ROKAF Black Eagles aerobatic team, providing a high‑performance successor to the T‑50B that adds aerial refueling capability to support longer‑range demonstration deployments.",
      "src": [
        "weg-kf-21-boramae"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "fighter",
  "image": {
    "file": "kf-21-boramae.jpg",
    "thumb": "kf-21-boramae-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "KF-21A",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KF21-4.jpg",
    "title": "File:KF21-4.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/kf-21-boramae.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-kf-21-boramae": {
      "title": "KF-21 Boramae South Korean Fighter Aircraft",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/KF-21_Boramae_South_Korean_Fighter_Aircraft",
      "published": "2026-09-23",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}