India has clarified that it is not currently evaluating South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fighter jet for its program to acquire 114 advanced multi-role combat aircraft. This statement counters recent media speculation suggesting the Indian Air Force was considering the platform due to its cost-effectiveness, upgrade capacity, and compatibility with India’s defense production goals.
According to the Indian Defence Research Wing, the KF-21 has not been offered to New Delhi, nor is it undergoing any form of assessment. While the aircraft is seen as a promising option for countries looking for affordable fleet modernization, India emphasized it is not part of its current fighter acquisition considerations.
The move reflects India’s broader strategic direction, which includes rejecting the US F-35 offer, as reported in July by Bloomberg. New Delhi remains committed to strengthening its indigenous fighter development programs while reviewing bids from other established manufacturers under its 114-jet procurement initiative.
The KF-21 Boramae, developed by South Korea to replace legacy US F-4 and F-5 fighters, boasts modern specs including twin engines, a top speed of Mach 1.8, and a range of 1,500 nautical miles. Despite these capabilities, India is focusing on platforms more aligned with its domestic defense agenda and long-term operational priorities.
