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Operator profile / Asia

South Korea and the Jegongho

From U.S. aid jets in 1965 to Korean-built "Air Tigers" guarding the front line, and a farewell planned by 2027.

VariantsF-5A, F-5B, F-5E, F-5F, KF-5E, KF-5F
First F-5s1965[1]
Korean-builtKF-5E/F, 1982 to 1986[1]
Planned retirementBy end of 2027[2]
Two grey KF-5Es flying over autumn mountains
Original illustration Two Korean-built Jegongho Tigers over autumn mountains. Painted for this site; it sets the scene and is not evidence of real markings.

Arrival

South Korea received its first F-5A/Bs in 1965 through U.S. military aid; President Park Chung-hee attended the handover at Suwon. The radar-equipped F-5E/F followed in 1973.[1] Over the years the air force took in about 210 F-5s of all versions.[1]

The Jegongho: Korea's own Tiger

Pleased with the Tiger II, Korea built it under licence. Korean Air produced about 60 between 1982 and 1986 as the KF-5E and KF-5F, named Jegongho, "Air Tiger."[1] They were the first jet fighters built in South Korea, and photo records describe them as licence-built by Hanjin Corp., Korean Air's parent.[4]

KF

How to spot a Jegongho

Korean-built jets have a flattened "shark nose" radome rather than the original pointed nose, and carry the AN/APQ-159 radar.[1] Some later U.S.-built F-5Es also have shark noses, so confirm with the serial.

The cost of flying old jets

Keeping fifty-year-old designs on alert has not been free. On 11 January 2022 an F-5E crashed into a mountain in Hwaseong minutes after taking off from Suwon, and its pilot was killed.[5] Janes counted it as the 12th South Korean F-5 lost since the type entered service.[6]

Investigators traced the crash to a tiny hole in a fuel pipe. The jet had been flying since 1986, and the finding led to criticism of maintenance on ageing aircraft. The air force ordered safety inspections and special fuel-pipe checks on every F-5.[7] Accidents like this are part of why the retirement date was brought forward.

Front-line duty and farewell

Because the F-5 can scramble quickly, Korea based it at airfields close to the North.[1] The KF-21 Boramae is replacing it. In May 2025 the air force chief of staff said the F-5 would be retired before the end of 2027, earlier than the previous target of around 2030; by then only the 101 and 105 Fighter Squadrons at Suwon still flew it.[2][3]

Status note

Retirement is in progress. Check current Republic of Korea Air Force information before describing the fleet as active.

Last updated

Sources

  1. Asia Economy | The fastest Air Force fighter jet ready for emergencies (2021)
  2. The Unit Report | Korean F-5 retirement date brought forward (2025)
  3. Militarnyi | South Korea to retire F-5s early due to KF-21 success
  4. AirHistory.net | KF-5E Jegongho 10-585
  5. Air Force F-5E crashes in Hwaseong, Korea Times (2022)
  6. RoKAF F-5E fighter crashes, killing pilot, Janes (2022)
  7. "F-5 crashes due to tiny hole": maintenance controversy, Asia Economy (2022)
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