South Korea has taken a bold step in its ambition to expand its defense industry footprint in Latin America by formally promoting the KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet as a top contender in the Peruvian Air Force’s next-generation combat aircraft program. Last month, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) issued a statement supporting the KF-21’s inclusion in the shortlist of candidates to replace Peru’s aging fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-25s. The move underscores Seoul’s broader strategy of positioning the KF-21 as a competitive and capable alternative to Western platforms in the international market.
Peru’s search for a new multirole fighter comes at a critical time. The country’s current inventory of combat aircraft is nearing obsolescence, with rising maintenance costs and diminishing parts availability threatening operational readiness. Additionally, the geopolitical context has complicated efforts to support legacy Russian aircraft, making Western and allied systems more appealing from both strategic and logistical perspectives. The Peruvian government has therefore initiated a comprehensive evaluation of several high-performance fighter jets to revitalize its air force, improve deterrence, and enhance regional defense posture.
Among the aircraft being considered are the French Dassault Rafale, the American F-16 Block 70/72, Sweden’s Saab Gripen E/F, and the European Eurofighter Typhoon. These platforms are all renowned for their advanced systems, combat performance, and NATO interoperability. However, each comes with a high procurement and lifecycle cost that may strain the Peruvian defense budget. This has opened the door for South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae, a 4.5-generation fighter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, offering next-generation capabilities at a more accessible price point.