South Korea has publicly disclosed unit pricing for its indigenous KF-21 Boramae fighter, underscoring cost as a central pillar of the program’s strategy.

According to figures discussed on the defense-focused show Bon Game 2, the air-superiority–focused Block 1 variant is priced at approximately $83 million, while the more capable Block 2 multirole version is expected to cost about $112 million per aircraft.

Pricing and Mass Production

The pricing comes as the program moves toward mass production, scheduled to begin in 2026.

By placing a clear price tag on both early production blocks, South Korea is positioning the KF-21 not only as a domestically viable replacement for aging fighters, but also as a competitively priced option in the export market—particularly for air forces priced out of fifth-generation aircraft.

Block 1 And Block 2

The pricing gap reflects the differing roles and equipment sets of the two blocks. Block 1, focused on air superiority and air defense, will be produced in 40 aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force between late 2026 and 2028.

At $83 million, it sits well below the acquisition cost of many Western frontline fighters, while still offering a modern airframe, low-observable shaping, and an indigenous AESA radar.

Block 2, planned at around 80 aircraft, expands the mission set to full air-to-ground operations. Its higher price—roughly $112 million, equivalent to about 161.5 billion KRW—reflects integration of additional weapons and strike systems rather than a fundamental change in the airframe.

Even at this level, South Korean analysts emphasized that Block 2 remains significantly cheaper than many European and U.S. multirole fighters with comparable payload and range.

Panelists on Bon Game 2 framed pricing as one of the KF-21’s strongest selling points.

One commentator described the jet as delivering “excellent performance compared to European systems, but at about half the price,” capturing the program’s core value proposition.

While officially classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, the KF-21’s price positions it against aircraft that are often more expensive to acquire and operate, including advanced variants of legacy platforms.

Domestic Supply Chains

The cost advantage is reinforced by production scale and domestic supply chains. South Korea plans to complete flight testing of six prototypes by June 2026, smoothing the transition to serial production and reducing unit cost volatility during early batches.

Pricing clarity also feeds directly into export strategy. South Korean officials and analysts have consistently framed the KF-21 as a “complementary” fighter rather than a direct substitute for U.S. fifth-generation jets.

The disclosed prices strengthen that narrative, offering air forces a way to expand fleet size and capability without the financial and political constraints associated with higher-end platforms.

With Block 1 at $83 million and Block 2 at $112 million, the KF-21 enters the market as a rare case of a newly developed supersonic fighter with transparent, comparatively moderate pricing.

As production nears and export campaigns intensify, cost—more than raw performance—appears set to be Boramae’s defining feature.