South Korea’s advanced KF-21 Boramae fighter is making the leap into mass production, with the country planning to procure at least 40 of these jets by 2026. The KF-21 is a unique aircraft that incorporates a variety of 5th-generation (or stealth) design elements while still carrying munitions externally like older 4th-generation platforms.

The KF-21 is slated to replace South Korea’s aging fleets of dated F-4D/Es and F-5E/Fs, with production expected to continue through 2032 for the country to procure at least 120 total aircraft.

The Boramae may not be classified as a stealth fighter, as its external stores will significantly compromise its low observability, but its overall radar-reflective design will still offer some degree of delayed........

© The National Interest