In a notable sign of deepening defense cooperation between Asia and Latin America, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has confirmed that Peru is actively considering the South Korean KF-21 Boramae fighter jet in its ongoing modernization program. This move, if finalized, would mark not only a turning point for the Peruvian Air Force but also a significant expansion of South Korea’s defense footprint in the Western Hemisphere.
KAI revealed that discussions with Peru have been ongoing for two years. In September 2024, KAI formally proposed the KF-21 for consideration in Peru’s next-generation fighter acquisition process. Simultaneously, the FA-50 Fighting Eagle, a light combat aircraft derived from the T-50 trainer, has also garnered strong interest from Lima. Combined, these platforms could give Peru an edge in affordability, capability, and local industrial participation.
Peru’s interest in the KF-21 and FA-50 is shaped by pressing realities. The country’s current air fleet consists primarily of aging Soviet-era aircraft. The backbone of its air defense—the MiG-29 and Su-25—dates back to the 1990s, with availability and maintenance becoming more challenging and costly due to parts shortages and increasing geopolitical friction with Russia. Peru also retired its A-37B Dragonflies, a subsonic light attack aircraft, leaving a capability gap for light strike and advanced training roles.
In this context, both the FA-50 and the KF-21 present compelling options. The FA-50 offers a multirole platform capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, while doubling as an advanced lead-in fighter trainer. For a country like Peru, which needs versatility on a budget, the FA-50’s cost-effective profile and proven export record make it an attractive option. The KF-21, meanwhile, is positioned as a 4.5-generation multirole fighter with stealth features and modern avionics—an ambitious leap for a country looking to upgrade to modern standards.
KAI’s offer to Peru is more than a simple arms sale—it’s part of a strategic push to increase South Korea’s influence in Latin America, a region historically dominated by U.S., Russian, and European defense suppliers. In recent years, Seoul has emphasized defense exports as a key pillar of its national strategy, particularly as geopolitical uncertainty and security needs fuel demand in the Global South.
Mr. Kang Guyoung, CEO and President of KAI, has stated that Latin America is a priority market for the company’s future growth. “KAI will expand the export of its main platforms including FA-50, KF-21, helicopters, and satellites, and KAI will put more efforts in its marketing to Central and South America by strengthening the partnership for future projects,” Kang said in an official company statement.
This expansion strategy builds on earlier successes. Peru already operates the KT-1P basic trainer aircraft, developed and delivered in collaboration with KAI and assembled locally by Peru’s SEMAN (Servicio de Mantenimiento del Perú) under a technology transfer agreement. The local production of 16 out of 20 KT-1Ps marked a significant milestone for Peru’s domestic aerospace capability—and established trust between the two nations. That experience is now serving as a springboard for higher-stakes cooperation.
A critical part of KAI’s offer for both the KF-21 and FA-50 is industrial collaboration. Peru is not merely being courted as a customer—it’s being invited to participate in manufacturing and future upgrades. In October 2024, KAI and SEMAN signed a memorandum of understanding to explore co-production of aircraft components for both the FA-50 and KF-21. Discussions reportedly include final assembly, avionics work, and possibly even composite material production.
This aligns with Peru’s own strategic goals of fostering self-sufficiency in defense and creating high-skilled jobs. South Korea has consistently offered generous technology transfer packages in recent deals—part of what distinguishes Seoul’s defense sales from competitors who often maintain strict control over intellectual property and production rights.
For Peru, participating in local assembly of the KF-21 could be transformational. It would vault the country into an elite group of nations capable of contributing to advanced jet production—a capability that could have long-term economic and technological spillover effects.
Beyond the bilateral relationship, Peru’s possible acquisition of the KF-21 and FA-50 has broader regional implications. Latin America has historically lagged behind in high-end airpower modernization. Countries like Brazil and Argentina maintain limited air forces constrained by budget and logistical issues, and Colombia recently shelved a planned fighter jet purchase due to fiscal concerns.
In this context, Peru positioning itself as the first Latin American operator of a fifth-generation-capable fighter would signal a dramatic shift. It would also create competitive pressure on neighboring countries to pursue similar upgrades. Moreover, Peru’s involvement could reinvigorate regional cooperation in aerospace and defense—potentially spurring joint exercises, shared logistics networks, and regional maintenance hubs.
The acquisition would also represent a victory for South Korea in the competitive international arms market. With Indonesia’s participation in the KF-21 development program having been uncertain due to funding issues, Seoul has been looking for new partners and customers to offset costs and validate the program’s global relevance. A sale to Peru would mark the KF-21’s first foreign order—and possibly the beginning of its transformation from a national to a global asset.
The Peruvian-Korean defense partnership is also notable against the backdrop of shifting global defense alignments. As Western countries tighten export regulations and traditional defense suppliers struggle with backlogs and political conditions, countries like South Korea have stepped into the gap. South Korea offers modern systems at competitive prices with fewer political strings attached.
For Peru, diversifying its defense suppliers is a practical necessity. Reliance on Russian equipment has become riskier amid ongoing sanctions and diplomatic friction. Meanwhile, U.S. platforms, though advanced, often come with lengthy delivery timelines and complex regulatory hurdles.
South Korea, by contrast, offers fast delivery, robust after-sales support, and technology-sharing arrangements that few others can match. In short, KAI provides not just hardware, but a partnership.
Despite the clear strategic benefits, the deal is not without obstacles. Financing remains a key challenge for Peru, which is juggling economic recovery efforts and social demands. The estimated cost of the FA-50 fleet alone could exceed $700 million. Acquiring KF-21 fighters would require a far greater investment—potentially over $100 million per aircraft depending on the configuration and local assembly terms.
Moreover, integrating a new generation of aircraft requires significant investment in training, infrastructure, and maintenance capabilities. Pilots and technicians must be retrained, airbases upgraded, and supply chains adapted to support a Korean platform.
Another variable is politics. Peru has faced frequent government changes and political instability in recent years, which can complicate long-term defense planning. Major acquisitions often become political footballs or are delayed due to leadership transitions.
Still, momentum appears to be building. Peruvian defense officials have praised the FA-50’s operational record in countries like the Philippines and Poland, and initial studies of the KF-21’s capabilities have reportedly been positive. If finalized, the deal could be announced in late 2025 or early 2026, with initial deliveries starting in 2027.
The coming months will be critical as Peru moves from exploration to negotiation. If a formal Letter of Intent is signed—particularly for the FA-50—it could pave the way for a broader package that includes the KF-21 and expanded local industrial participation.
For South Korea, a successful deal with Peru would bolster its credibility as a top-tier defense exporter and validate its investment in the KF-21 program. It could also open doors to other Latin American markets—Chile, Colombia, and even Argentina have shown interest in diversifying their military fleets.
For Peru, it would mark a decisive leap forward in airpower, a boost for domestic industry, and a realignment of its defense partnerships toward Asia’s emerging industrial powers.
Peru’s possible acquisition of the KF-21 and FA-50 aircraft is more than a shopping expedition. It is a strategic decision that reflects the changing dynamics of global defense trade, the urgent need for air force modernization, and the appeal of South Korea’s collaborative model of arms exports.
