South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken a significant step in their evolving defense partnership by showcasing the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet during a test flight at Sacheon Air Base in Gyeongsangnam-do. The event marked a new chapter in military collaboration between the two nations, emphasizing both technological advancement and strategic cooperation.
UAE Deputy Minister of Defense Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi participated in this landmark flight, taking a seat in the back of the fighter jet as it soared into the skies, while an FA-50 aircraft was piloted by South Korea’s Chief of Staff, Gen. Lee Yeon-su, serving as escort. This arrangement not only allowed Al Alawi to experience the jet’s cockpit and performance firsthand but also facilitated discussions about enhancing military and technological ties between the two countries.
The flight was part of a broader intention, underscored by a letter of intent signed in April 2025, aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation on the KF-21 program. The collaboration builds on South Korea’s proposals for joint defense development with partners in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as it prepares to incorporate the KF-21 into its armed forces by the end of the decade.
While the agreement does not explicitly confirm the UAE’s purchase of the KF-21, analysts suggest that the UAE’s active participation in the flight indicates a strong interest in potentially adopting the next-generation fighter.
The recent flight follows successful tests of the sixth KF-21 prototype, which focused on assessing the aircraft’s combat readiness and refining flight control systems. To date, the KF-21 program has completed over 1,300 sorties—about 70% of the planned flights in the Block 1 prototyping phase. South Korea aims to field up to 120 KF-21s by the early 2030s, with the first deliveries expected between 2026 and 2027. These new aircraft are intended to replace South Korea’s aging F-4 and F-5 strike fleets.
The KF-21 Boramae showcases advanced capabilities, with a length of 17 meters (57 feet) and a wingspan of 11 meters (36 feet). It can carry an impressive 6,000 kilograms (13,228 pounds) of fuel and is powered by twin Hanwha/General Electric F414 engines that produce 110,000 horsepower. The jet can operate at altitudes of up to 16,700 meters (54,790 feet), achieve speeds of Mach 1.8 (2,223 kilometers/1,381 miles per hour), and cover a range of 1,500 nautical miles (2,778 kilometers/1,726 miles).
The collaborative efforts in defense technology that have emerged from this program are expected to further enhance the military capabilities of both nations, solidifying their strategic partnership in an increasingly complex global security environment.
