South korea: South Korea's first homegrown KF-21 fighter jet has received a flight safety certification from the government, as announced by the state arms procurement agency. The KF-21 fighter jet earned the airworthiness certification on Monday, after completing a series of tests conducted from April 2021 to 2026.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) stated that a review committee approved the aircraft after it met all 745 requirements across 14 assessment areas. These areas included electronic systems and aircraft structure, ensuring the aircraft's compliance with the necessary standards.
The decision follows the fighter jet's successful completion of a combat readiness evaluation in May. South Korea has outlined plans to deliver 120 KF-21 jets by 2032. The initial production will focus on 40 aircraft with air-to-air capabilities, expected to be delivered by 2028. Subsequently, 80 additional jets with air-to-ground and air-to-ship capabilities will be produced.