Overview
- The final development flight occurred Monday over the southern sea off Sacheon using the fourth prototype, officially closing the test program.
- DAPA recorded about 1,600 sorties over 42 months with no accidents and verified roughly 13,000 test conditions, including air-to-air weapon launches.
- The campaign wrapped up around two months ahead of schedule after expanding test venues and incorporating air-to-air refueling.
- Officials intend to finish system development in the first half of 2026 and start handing over mass-produced jets to the Air Force in the second half.
- South Korea has contracted 40 Block 1 aircraft optimized for air-to-air missions, with KAI leading production alongside a broad domestic industrial team.