Polish Air Force Commander Visits South Korea to Inspect FA-50PL, Test-Drive KF-21 Fighter

The Polish Air Force Commander Irenewsch Novak and his delegation visited South Korea this week to inspect the production site of the FA-50PL fighter jets and to test-fly the KF-21, South Korea’s next-generation multirole fighter.

The visit, announced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on June 26, is part of growing strategic cooperation between the two countries’ air forces.

During the visit to KAI’s headquarters, the Polish delegation toured the production line of the FA-50PL aircraft. This variant is tailored for the Polish Air Force and is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, precision targeting pods, and advanced air-to-air missile systems.

In a highlight of the visit, the Polish Air Force Commander test-flew the KF-21 Boramae, South Korea’s 4.5-generation stealth-capable fighter set to enter service in the second half of next year. The KF-21 is designed to evolve into a 6th-generation platform capable of manned-unmanned teaming.

The KF-21 will operate alongside the F-35 in the Korean Air Force and is equipped with domestically produced avionics and European air-to-air weapons. According to KAI, its combination of local systems and interoperability features allows the KF-21 to carry out missions that complement fifth-generation aircraft.

KAI aims to position the KF-21 as a viable option in Poland’s next-generation fighter procurement plan, which envisions the acquisition of 32 additional aircraft to replace legacy Soviet-era jets.

“The KF-21 has now moved beyond the development phase. Through live test flights and production line tours, we are showing customers that this is a real, deployable platform,” KAI said in its statement.

South Korea has formed ‘Team KF-21’—a public-private initiative involving the government, Korean Air Force, and KAI—to support the fighter’s export ambitions in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

KAI previously secured a contract with Poland in 2022 for 48 FA-50 light combat aircraft. The first 12 aircraft—designated FA-50GF (Gap Filler)—were delivered just 15 months after the contract signing. The remaining 36 FA-50PL units, featuring enhanced capabilities specific to Polish requirements, are currently in development and production.

With this ongoing cooperation, South Korea is leveraging the FA-50 program as a gateway to export the KF-21, aiming to establish a long-term defense partnership with Poland and expand its footprint in the European fighter jet market.