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Members of the Airworthiness Certification Committee deliberate on the airworthiness review results for the KF-21 fighter jet development program during its 89th committee meeting, held at the Government Complex Gwacheon on June 15. / Photo courtesy of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on June 16 that South Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet has officially secured its Initial Type Certification.

According to DAPA, the 89th Airworthiness Certification Committee met at the Government Complex Gwacheon on June 15 to deliberate on the airworthiness review results for the KF-21 system development program. The committee officially resolved that the aircraft successfully met every criteria outlined in the airworthiness certification standards.

The airworthiness evaluation for the KF-21 program commenced in April 2021 and concluded in April 2026. The committee's resolution on this day finalized the years-long assessment, formally granting the KF-21 its initial type certification.

Securing the type certification implies that the government has issued its final validation of the KF-21's flight safety. While the "combat suitability" rating achieved last May verified the jet's operational capabilities, such as mission performance and weapons integration, this type certification is highly significant as it confirms the aircraft's ability to guarantee the safety of both the pilot and the airframe under extreme environmental conditions.

The KF-21 successfully demonstrated its flight safety by meeting all 745 inspection items across 14 distinct categories of airworthiness standards, including airframe structure, weapons integration, and electronic systems.

"The airworthiness certification capabilities and experience we have accumulated over the years served as the foundation to objectively prove the KF-21's flight safety," stated Kim Il-dong, Vice Minister of DAPA, who chaired the committee meeting. "This official state validation will serve as a decisive factor in securing trust from foreign buyers during future export initiatives. Backed by this government-certified flight safety, we expect it to greatly contribute to expanding South Korean defense exports."

Building upon this initial type certification, DAPA intends to conduct individual airworthiness certifications for each production unit during the mass production phase. This process will verify whether each aircraft is manufactured in strict compliance with the certified design standards. DAPA added that it will remain fully committed to a successful military deployment through rigorous quality control and systematic program management.

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol