South Korea's KF-21 fighter jet receives flight safety certification

South Korea's first domestically developed fighter aircraft, the KF-21, has received flight safety certification from the government, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen its indigenous defence capabilities.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on June 16 that the KF-21 was granted airworthiness certification on June 15 after successfully completing a series of tests conducted between April 2021 and 2026, Yonhap reports. 

According to DAPA, a review committee determined that the aircraft met all 745 certification requirements across 14 evaluation categories, including aircraft structure, electronic systems, and overall flight safety performance.

The certification follows the KF-21's successful completion of a combat readiness evaluation in May, clearing the way for its operational deployment.

South Korea plans to acquire a total of 120 KF-21 fighter jets by 2032. The first 40 aircraft, designed primarily for air-to-air combat missions, are scheduled to be delivered by 2028. An additional 80 aircraft equipped with enhanced air-to-ground and air-to-ship strike capabilities will be delivered in subsequent phases.

Officials said the first batch of KF-21 fighters will be delivered to the South Korean Air Force in the second half of this year, with further deliveries to follow according to the production schedule.

By Sabina Mammadli