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Republic of Korea Air Force

Latest in Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea today rolled out the first series-produced example of its homegrown KF-21 fighter. This major milestone in the program also underscores just how quickly the program has progressed, with the rollout coming a little over five years since the first prototype of the fighter was unveiled. The development schedule is especially impressive when compared with other new-generation fighter programs, although Seoul has taken some notable shortcuts to meet this aggressive timeline.
Republic of Korea Air Force

First Series-Produced KF-21 Fighter Rolled Out In South Korea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 25, 2026

South Korea has selected an L3Harris Global 6500 bizjet-based solution for its new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. As we discussed at the time, Seoul launched its search for a new plane back in 2020, to bolster its current fleet of four Boeing E-737s, South Korean versions of the E-7 Wedgetail that has been selected by the U.S. Air Force and NATO, among other customers. Reports from earlier this year suggested that Boeing had already been eliminated or dropped out of the new South Korean competition, something that the company appeared to deny.
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea Has Chosen Its Next Airborne Early Warning Radar Jet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 30, 2025

South Korea is looking to develop a new air-launched ballistic missile, joining a group of nations that are looking to introduce this capability, or which already have systems of this kind in operational service. If successful, the program would likely see the weapon fielded on South Korea’s locally developed KF-21 fighter jet, which you can read more about here.
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea Has An Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Program

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 13, 2025

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has provided us with a look at the future, stealthier version of its KF-21 fighter, which is now known as the KF-21EX. Concept artwork of the refined version of the jet has been released, with internal weapons carriage being its distinguishing feature. This is part of an effort to make the KF-21 more survivable in the face of ever more capable air defense systems, although the resulting aircraft will not offer the same level of low observability as the F-35, which is also operated by South Korea.
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea’s KF-21 Fighter To Get Stealthier With Internal Weapons Bays

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 6, 2025

A South Korean AH-64 Apache helicopter fires rockets during a combined live-fire exercise between the South Korean and US armies at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea Canceling AH-64 Apache Order A Sign Of What’s To Come

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 8, 2025

F-16 Fighting Falcons from Kunsan Air Base and South Korean KF-16s taxi to the runway together during Exercise Buddy Wing 14-8 at Seosan Air Base, Republic of Korea Aug. 21, 2014. The purpose of the exercise was not only to improve interoperability between U.S. Air Force and ROKAF fighter squadrons, but to practice with ROKAF KF-16 units for their first upcoming RED FLAG exercise in Alaska.
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korean F-16s Just Bombed A Town By Accident

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 6, 2025

South Korea today unveiled a new stealthy loyal wingman-type drone, the Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System, or LOWUS, which it plans to operate alongside the locally developed KF-21 Boramae next-generation fighter, among others.
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea’s Loyal Wingman Air Combat Drone Unveiled

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2025

The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) Gray Eagle STOL drone has undertaken its first experimental operations from a warship, taking off from the deck of the South Korean amphibious assault ship Dokdo. Gray Eagle STOL — which we have discussed in depth in the past — incorporates technology first demonstrated on the company’s Mojave, which was specifically developed with the ability to perform short takeoffs and landings, including from rough fields, with minimal support. The latest development adds to the aviation-capable warships that the wider family of Q-1 lineage drones have now operated from.
Republic of Korea Air Force

Gray Eagle STOL Drone Flies From South Korean Amphibious Assault Ship

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 13, 2024

South Korea, one of only four nations that still operated the classic F-4 Phantom, formally retired the Cold War-era fighter today. The decommissioning ceremony saw the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) provide an “honorable discharge” for its last Phantoms, which had helped defend the nation for 55 years. The event also saw the air force looking to the future, with involvement from the F-4’s successors, including the F-35A stealth fighter. Ultimately, the Phantom will also be superseded by the locally developed KF-21.
Republic of Korea Air Force

F-4 Phantom Vanishes Into Retirement After 55 Years Of South Korean Service

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 7, 2024

South Korean F-4E launches an AGM-142 'Pop-eye' missile
Republic of Korea Air Force

F-4 Phantoms Conduct Final Popeye Missile Firing Before South Korea Bids Them Farewell

By Oliver Parken

Updated on Apr 23, 2024

KF-21 Refueling for the first time from a tanker
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea’s KF-21 Next Generation Fighter Begins Tanker Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

F-15K Slam Eagle
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea To Spend Billions Upgrading Its F-15K Slam Eagle Fighters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 29, 2022

South Korean F-15K
Republic of Korea Air Force

Seoul Scrambles 30 Fighters After North Korean Jets Approach Border

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 6, 2022

ROKAF_KF-21_FIRST_FLIGHT
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea’s KF-21 Homegrown Advanced Fighter Just Took To The Air

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 19, 2022

KF21 taxi test
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea Readies Its KF-21 Next-Generation Fighter Jet For Takeoff

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 5, 2022

Korean F-35 Fighters Grounded After ‘Major Systems Malfunction’ Leads To Belly Landing
Republic of Korea Air Force

Korean F-35 Fighters Grounded After ‘Major Systems Malfunction’ Leads To Belly Landing

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 5, 2022