Aircraft database
Fighter Jets of South Korea
Every combat aircraft in South Korean service, from the F-35A to the home-grown KF-21 Boramae, with specifications and current status.
Updated October 2026
What fighter jets does South Korea operate?
The Republic of Korea Air Force operates around 400 combat aircraft. The F-35A is its fifth-generation fighter, supported by the F-15K Slam Eagle, KF-16 and FA-50. The indigenous KF-21 Boramae is entering production as South Korea’s first home-designed fighter.
Frontline types
5
In active service
Combat aircraft
~400
Republic of Korea Air Force
Fifth-generation
40
F-35A, more on order
Next generation
KF-21
Entering production
Fighter jets in service today
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
F-47
Manufacturer
First flight
2028
Top speed
Mach 2.0
KAI KF-21 Boramae
Manufacturer
First flight
2022
Top speed
Mach 1.81
J-35/FC-31
Manufacturer
First flight
2012
Top speed
Mach 1.8
J-20 Mighty Dragon
Manufacturer
First flight
2011
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-57 Felon
Manufacturer
First flight
2010
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-35 Flanker-E
Manufacturer
First flight
2008
Top speed
Mach 2.25
F-35 Lightning II
Manufacturer
First flight
2006
Top speed
Mach 1.6
JF-17 Thunder
Manufacturer
First flight
2003
Top speed
Mach 1.6
HAL Tejas
Manufacturer
First flight
2001
Top speed
Mach 1.8
J-10C
Manufacturer
First flight
1998
Top speed
Mach 1.8
F-22 Raptor
Manufacturer
First flight
1997
Top speed
Mach 2.25
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Manufacturer
First flight
1995
Top speed
Mach 1.6
Mitsubishi F-2
Manufacturer
First flight
1995
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Eurofighter Typhoon
Manufacturer
First flight
1994
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-34 Fullback
Manufacturer
First flight
1990
Top speed
Mach 1.8
Saab Gripen
Manufacturer
First flight
1988
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Dassault Rafale
Manufacturer
First flight
1986
Top speed
Mach 1.8
AV-8B Harrier II
Manufacturer
First flight
1978
Top speed
1,070 km/h
Mirage 2000
Manufacturer
First flight
1978
Top speed
Mach 2.2
MiG-29 Fulcrum
Manufacturer
First flight
1977
Top speed
Mach 2.25
Su-27 Flanker
Manufacturer
First flight
1977
Top speed
Mach 2.35
MiG-31 Foxhound
Manufacturer
First flight
1975
Top speed
Mach 2.83
Panavia Tornado
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 2.2
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 2.05
F-15 Eagle
Manufacturer
First flight
1972
Top speed
Mach 2.5
A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)
Manufacturer
First flight
1972
Top speed
Mach 0.56
F-14 Tomcat
Manufacturer
First flight
1970
Top speed
Mach 2.34
SEPECAT Jaguar
Manufacturer
First flight
1968
Top speed
Mach 1.6
Mirage F1
Manufacturer
First flight
1966
Top speed
Mach 2.2
F-5 Tiger II
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
Mach 1.63
F-4 Phantom II
Manufacturer
First flight
1958
Top speed
Mach 2.23
MiG-21 Fishbed
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 2.05
Bombers and support aircraft
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
B-21 Raider
Manufacturer
First flight
2023
Top speed
Mach 0.8
Yak-130
Manufacturer
First flight
1996
Top speed
Mach 0.93
B-2 Spirit
Manufacturer
First flight
1989
Top speed
Mach 0.95
Aermacchi S-211
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
667 km/h
Tu-160 Blackjack
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
Mach 2.05
Aermacchi MB-339
Manufacturer
First flight
1976
Top speed
898 km/h
BAE Hawk
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 0.84
L-39 Albatros
Manufacturer
First flight
1968
Top speed
750 km/h
U-2 Dragon Lady
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 0.67
B-52 Stratofortress
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
Mach 0.86
Retired fighter jets
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
Tornado GR4
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 1.3
F-111 Aardvark
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 2.5
F-117 Nighthawk
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
Mach 0.92
F-104 Starfighter
Manufacturer
First flight
1954
Top speed
Mach 2.01
Concorde
Manufacturer
First flight
1969
Top speed
Mach 2.04
SR-71 Blackbird
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 3.3
Blackburn Buccaneer
Manufacturer
First flight
1958
Top speed
1,038 km/h
English Electric Lightning
Manufacturer
First flight
1954
Top speed
Mach 2.0
F-105 Thunderchief
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 2.08
Avro Vulcan
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
Mach 0.88
X-15
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
Mach 6.72
Harrier Jump Jet
Manufacturer
First flight
1967
Top speed
1,175 km/h
Folland Gnat
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
1,118 km/h
F-86 Sabre
Manufacturer
First flight
1947
Top speed
1,105 km/h
MiG-17 Fresco
Manufacturer
First flight
1950
Top speed
1,145 km/h
Fouga Magister
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
715 km/h
L-29 Delfin
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
655 km/h
T-33 Shooting Star
Manufacturer
First flight
1948
Top speed
966 km/h
de Havilland Vampire
Manufacturer
First flight
1943
Top speed
882 km/h
Hawker Hunter
Manufacturer
First flight
1951
Top speed
Mach 0.94
Gloster Meteor
Manufacturer
First flight
1943
Top speed
965 km/h
MiG-15 Fagot
Manufacturer
First flight
1947
Top speed
1,077 km/h
MiG-25 Foxbat
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 2.83
Me 262 Schwalbe
Manufacturer
First flight
1941
Top speed
870 km/h
How South Korean air power is structured
One operating service
All fighters are flown by the Republic of Korea Air Force, focused on defending against North Korea and supporting US forces in the region.
From licence to design
South Korea moved from licence-building the KF-16 to designing the FA-50 light fighter and the KF-21 Boramae.
What comes next
KF-21 deliveries are due to begin around 2026, with later blocks planned to add internal weapons carriage.
Can you fly a South Korean fighter jet?
South Korean military aircraft are not available for civilian flights. The nearest experience is a former military jet trainer such as the L-39 Albatros, available from Florida and across Europe.
South Korea fighter jet questions
How many fighter jets does South Korea have?
South Korea has around 400 combat aircraft, all flown by the Republic of Korea Air Force, including 40 F-35As.
What is the KF-21 Boramae?
The KF-21 Boramae is a twin-engine 4.5-generation fighter designed by Korea Aerospace Industries, and South Korea’s first indigenous fighter.
Does South Korea have the F-35?
Yes, South Korea has the F-35. The Republic of Korea Air Force operates 40 F-35As, with more on order.
Does South Korea build its own fighter jets?
Yes, South Korea builds its own fighter jets. It builds the FA-50 and the KF-21, having previously licence-built the KF-16.
Who else buys Korean fighter jets?
The Korean FA-50 has been exported to Poland, the Philippines, Malaysia and others, and Indonesia is a partner in the KF-21 programme.