South Korea's KAI and DAPA say the first production model of the KF-21 has entered final assembly, a significant milestone for the domestically produced fighter.
KAI and KB Kookmin Bank have signed a memorandum of understanding which will see the South Korean bank provide up to KRW1 trillion ($703 million) in financial support to the OEM.
The KAI KF-21 fighter has successfully completed its first nighttime air-to-air refueling test, as the program inches toward operationalization in 2026.
As KAI's production facilities are operating at full capacity to deliver South Korea's latest programs, the KT-1 basic trainer line could be offshored.
A senior South Korean defense official tells Aviation Week why he is confident of the KF-21's export potential as the fighter enters serial production.
In 2023, Korea Aerospace Industries awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to supply ALMDS as part of KAI’s minesweeping variant of the Surion utility helicopter.
British defense company Babcock is working with Korea Aerospace Industries to explore whether the two can partner on military flying training in Europe.
Korea Aerospace Industries has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Peruvian Air Force Maintenance Service Dept. that could see it produce KF-21 parts.