SACHEON, South Korea – On March 25, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung attended the rollout ceremony for the first mass-produced unit of the KF-21 fighter jet at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, South Korea. The event marked a historic milestone in the nation's aviation history, signaling a new era of self-reliant national defense.

A 25-Year Journey to the Skies
The KF-21 is a 4.5-generation fighter jet developed with indigenous technology to replace the Air Force's aging fleet. The project, which began in earnest in 2015, faced significant challenges, including the refusal of core electronic equipment technology transfers from abroad. However, through close cooperation between the government, military, research institutes, and defense companies, South Korea successfully localized key technologies.

This rollout comes 25 years after former President Kim Dae-jung first declared the vision for a homegrown fighter jet during the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in March 2001.

Commitment to Defense Industry Growth
In his congratulatory speech, President Lee emphasized the government's unwavering support for the defense sector.

"The government will use the success of the KF-21 as a sturdy stepping stone toward becoming one of the world's top four defense industrial powers," President Lee stated. "We will spare no investment or support for the rapid development of advanced aircraft engines, materials, and components to ensure the continuous growth of our defense industry."
He further noted that the KF-21 embodies the long-held aspiration for self-reliant defense. "A nation that once relied on foreign aid for its defense has now become a country that produces its own cutting-edge weapons with indigenous technology—weapons that the world now seeks out first."

Future Deployment and Global Cooperation
The first mass-produced KF-21 will undergo final performance evaluations by the manufacturer and the Air Force before being officially deployed for combat in September 2026.

President Lee also highlighted a vision for international solidarity, promising to share not only world-class weapon systems but also the technology and experience gained during the development process with partner nations. He concluded by calling on the public to support the "great journey" toward completing self-reliant defense and contributing to global peace and prosperity.