The final test flight took place on 12 January, concluding a campaign that involved six prototype aircraft. In total, around 1,600 test and experimental flights were conducted, during which more than 13,000 individual tests were carried out without major technical issues or the loss of any prototype.
Flight testing began in July 2022 with the maiden flight of the first KF-21 Boramae prototype. The accelerated schedule was made possible by granting additional airspace for test flights and by the rapid certification of the aircraft to operate with Airbus A330 MRTT tankers operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force.
The completion of the main test phase does not mean the prototype fleet will be retired from use. In December 2025, Korea Aerospace Industries announced a development contract focused on integrating air-to-ground weapons on the aircraft.
At present, assembly work and preparations for initial deliveries of the serial-production KF-21 Boramae Block I are under way at KAI facilities. Under two separate contracts, DAPA has ordered 40 aircraft in this configuration, with deliveries scheduled for the second half of the current year.
Alongside production activities, the manufacturer and the government administration are intensifying marketing efforts aimed at export sales. Potential markets currently identified include the Philippines, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
