South Korea’s KF-21 fighter fires guided IRIS-T missile
KF-21 fired a guided IRIS-T AIM-2000 AAM a year after firing an unguided missile. (Image: Diehl Defence)
Manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the KF-21 Boramae is a fighter aircraft that resembles the design of the F-35A. South Korea has investing nearly US$8 billion in the fighter development programme which is set to be completed by 2028.
A KAI KF-21 fighter aircraft has fired a guided Diehl BGT Defence’s IRIS-T (IR Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) short-range air-to-air missile (AIM-2000) for the first time where the missile was designated by the onboard AESA radar and successfully engaged a target UAS.
Just a few months after the first flight of the aircraft in early 2023, a safe separation test was completed by firing an unguided missile in flight in May 2023.
The firing was an important milestone for the IRIS-T programme track record. In February this year, KAI and Diehl Defence agreed to start the integration of IRIS-T into KAI’s FA-50, a further development T/TA-50 trainer/light attack aircraft.
IRIS-T has already been integrated into major combat aircraft platforms such as Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, F-16, EF-18 and F-5. The system has been in service or on order with several NATO countries, as well as Brazil, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
Shephard Defence Insight noted the KF-21 would replace F-4E Phantom II and F-5E/F fighters in the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). By 2028, the ROKAF will expect to have 40 KF-21s in service (Phase I) and 120 by 2032 (Phase II). Of this total, 40 will be Block I aircraft configured for air-to-air combat, while 80 Block IIs will later add an air-to-ground capability from 2028 onwards.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
KF-21 procurement [South Korea]
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).
