The Philippines is in Talks to Acquire 20 KF-21 Boramae Fighter Jets

26 Juni 2026

KF-21 Boramae and FA-50 (photos: Daum)

TSAMTO -- The Philippine government is in talks with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to acquire 20 KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter jets using South Korean concessional financing.

According to South Korean media, the acquisition is part of the third phase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization program (Horizon 3), which provides for the purchase of a total of up to 40 multirole combat aircraft.

Negotiations are underway with the Philippines for the purchase of 12-20 aircraft, with delivery scheduled for 2027-2029.

According to the South Korean publication Reportera, the Philippines' Department of National Defense has been in talks with KAI regarding the acquisition of the KF-21 since October 2025, immediately following the aircraft's unveiling at the ADEX 2025 aerospace exhibition in Seoul. An industry source described the progress of the negotiations as positive, drawing a parallel with the successful conclusion of a contract for the supply of 12 additional FA-50 light attack aircraft to the Philippine Air Force, worth approximately $700 million, signed in June 2025.

The key legal mechanism for financing the deal is a provision of the Philippine National Budget Act for FY2026, which for the first time directly authorizes the government to obtain foreign loans for the purchase of military equipment.

In May 2026, KAI President Kim Jong-chul announced that the total volume of KF-21 aircraft under ongoing export negotiations exceeded 200 aircraft, with the Philippines, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Poland, among the priority buyers.

KAI's proposal to the Philippines is being considered for the KF-21 Block 1 modification, which is primarily focused on air superiority missions. A phased upgrade to the Block 2 configuration, which expands ground attack capabilities, is envisioned. Block 2 deliveries to the ROK Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2027-2031. The estimated cost of early production KF-21s is in the range of $80-90 million per unit, with the final cost of a package of 12-20 aircraft, including logistics support, spare parts, and initial pilot training, estimated at $1.0-1.5 billion.

The negotiations also include the possibility of establishing a maintenance, repair and operations center at Clark Air Force Base.

The Philippine Air Force has operated 12 KAI-built FA-50PH fighter jets (a variant of the T-50 combat-trainer) since 2014, with delivery of 12 additional Block 20 FA-50s expected from 2026. KAI's proven logistics infrastructure and trained technical personnel give it a competitive advantage in the tender for the new fighter jets.

The KF-21's competitors in the tender include the F-16C/D Block 70/72 (Lockheed Martin, USA) and the JAS-39E/F Gripen (Saab, Sweden). According to reports, the Philippines' Department of Defense (DoD) returned Lockheed Martin's proposal as exceeding the approved procurement budget ceiling.

(TSAMTO)