Diehl to work on integration of IRIS-T missile onto KAI aircraft
The MoU covers the collaboration of marketing efforts for KAI fighter aircraft, such as KF-21, equipped with Diehl Defence missiles. (Photo: KAI)
Diehl BGT Defence’s IRIS-T (IR Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) short-range air-to-air missile has seen service with 10 countries.
Diehl Defence and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed an MoU which will see Diehl’s IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile integrated onto the South Korean company’s FA-50 and KF-21 Block II fighter aircraft.
The purpose of the agreement was the joint goal of integrating the IRIS-T missile into FA-50/T-50 and KF-21 Block II aircraft.
In addition, the MoU will cover the collaboration of working groups on marketing efforts for KAI aircraft equipped with Diehl Defence missiles. Finally, both companies agreed to investigate the possibility of modifying or further developing missile systems from Diehl Defence for South Korea’s indigenous aircraft programmes.
Diehl Defence and KAI have previously worked together combining Diehl Defence’s experience and capabilities in the field of development, production and integration of missile systems, utilising KAI’s history of launching and managing military aircraft programs.
The collaboration began in 2017 with the start of the integration of IRIS-T into the KF-21 Block I fighter.
The FA-50 has been sold to South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines and Poland. The KF-21 will replace South Korea’s F-4E Phantom II and F-5E/F fighters. By 2028, the Republic of Korea Air Force expects to have 40 KF-21s in service (Phase I) and 120 by 2032 (Phase II).
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry]()
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
As European countries increase their defence budgets, the Paris Air Show will look to how the aerospace industry’s responds, with programme progression, new technology and industrial partnerships all expected to take centre stage at Le Bourget.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution
The solution, named HTeaming, has already been tested in flight with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
