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JF-17 Thunder vs KF-21 Boramae

CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇨🇳🇵🇰 JF-17 Thunder
KAI KF-21 Boramae combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇰🇷 KF-21 Boramae
Change comparison vs
Specifications
JF-17 Thunder KF-21 Boramae
Origin country 🇨🇳 China🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇰🇷 South Korea
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer CAC/PAC KAI
First flight 25 August 2003 19 July 2022
Year introduced 2007 2026
Number produced 144 units N/A
Average unit price $30 million $87.5 million
Wing area 24.4 m² 46.0 m²
Wingspan 9.0 m 11.2 m
Height 4.8 m 4.8 m
Length 14.0 m 16.8 m
Maximum speed 1960 km/h 2200 km/h
Operational range 900 km 1,000 km
Service ceiling 16,700 m 16,764 m
Max. takeoff weight 12,701 kg 25,401 kg
Empty weight 6,411 kg 11,793 kg
Total thrust 1 x 5,097 kgf 2 x 6,123 kgf
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The JF-17 Thunder and the KF-21 Boramae are both Combat Aircraft, manufactured by CAC/PAC and KAI respectively.

Top speed is 1,960 km/h for the JF-17 Thunder vs 2,200 km/h for the KF-21 Boramae. The JF-17 Thunder has an operational range of 900 km vs 1,000 km for the KF-21 Boramae. The KF-21 Boramae operates at altitudes up to 16,764 m compared to 16,700 m for the JF-17 Thunder.

Unit cost is $30M for the JF-17 Thunder vs $87.5M for the KF-21 Boramae. The JF-17 Thunder first flew 19 years before the KF-21 Boramae (2003 vs 2022).

Related Comparisons
KF-21 Boramae vs F-35 Lightning II JF-17 Thunder vs F-35 Lightning II JF-17 Thunder vs F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet JF-17 Thunder vs Su-30 Flanker-C JF-17 Thunder vs J-10 Vigorous Dragon JF-17 Thunder vs Typhoon

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the JF-17 Thunder or KF-21 Boramae?
The KF-21 Boramae is faster with a maximum speed of 2,200 km/h compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 1,960 km/h, a difference of 240 km/h.
Which has longer range, the JF-17 Thunder or KF-21 Boramae?
The KF-21 Boramae has a longer range at 1,000 km compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 900 km.
Which can fly higher, the JF-17 Thunder or KF-21 Boramae?
The KF-21 Boramae has a higher service ceiling at 16,764 meters (55,000 ft) compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 16,700 meters (54,790 ft).
Which is heavier, the JF-17 Thunder or KF-21 Boramae?
The KF-21 Boramae has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 25,401 kg compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 12,701 kg.
Which is larger, the JF-17 Thunder or KF-21 Boramae?
The KF-21 Boramae is longer at 16.8 meters compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 14.0 meters.
Which is more expensive, the JF-17 Thunder or KF-21 Boramae?
The KF-21 Boramae is more expensive at approximately $88 million per unit compared to the JF-17 Thunder at $30 million.
Which entered service first, the JF-17 Thunder or KF-21 Boramae?
The JF-17 Thunder entered service first in 2007, 19 years before the KF-21 Boramae which entered service in 2026.