In a display of growing military ties, South Korea and the UAE have jointly tested the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet at Sacheon Air Base in Gyeongsangnam-do. The event comes after an April 2025 letter of intent between the two nations pledging deeper cooperation on the program for Seoul’s next-generation fighter aircraft.
The move aligns with South Korea’s ongoing efforts to foster international partnerships for its defense projects, particularly with Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian allies. Although no official purchase agreement has been reached, defense insiders believe the UAE’s direct involvement points to a strong interest in eventually procuring the fighter. The test flight featured the sixth KF-21 prototype, with trials concentrating on weapons systems integration and flight control performance.
The KF-21 program has already reached a significant milestone, completing more than 1,300 test flights—around 70% of those planned for the Block 1 prototype phase. These trials are essential to validating the jet’s operational capabilities before mass production begins.
By the early 2030s, South Korea aims to have 120 KF-21s in service, with the first batch of 20 scheduled for delivery in 2026–2027. The new aircraft will take over from the aging American-made F-4 and F-5 fleets, ushering in a new era of air superiority for the Republic of Korea Air Force.
