South Korea integrates Meteor missiles on KF-21 fighter
MBDA announced on Monday the successful integration of the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) onto South Korea’s next-generation KF-21 Boramae fighter.
The collaboration between MBDA, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has demonstrated a groundbreaking level of international cooperation, achieving complex aircraft integration in record time.
The Meteor missile, considered the most advanced BVRAAM in service, features a unique ramjet engine that provides unmatched range and kinematic performance. Unlike other missiles that glide unpowered during most of their flight, Meteor’s ramjet remains powered throughout, enabling unparalleled maneuverability and ensuring targets have “no escape.”
Integrating the Meteor onto the KF-21 platform involved mastering a wide range of engineering disciplines, including aerodynamics, mechanical engineering, radar, datalinking, and software development. Overcoming the challenges of working across languages, cultures, and time zones, MBDA and KAI successfully collaborated to deliver this project under tight deadlines.
The partnership achieved a remarkable milestone when the KF-21 made its maiden flight in July 2022 equipped with four Meteor missiles, an unprecedented accomplishment in fighter development. Progress continued with ejection tests in 2023 and a series of successful firing trials in early 2024, confirming the missile’s performance on the KF-21.
The project has now entered its manufacturing phase, with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) set to receive its first operational Meteor missiles in time for the KF-21’s initial service entry. The ROKAF will also benefit from a common Meteor missile stockpile across the KF-21 and F-35 platforms, as both fighters are equipped to carry internally developed Meteor variants.
“The KF-21 Meteor project exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation, delivering world-class capabilities through exceptional engineering and partnership,” an MBDA spokesperson stated.
The KF-21 Meteor integration underscores the strategic importance of joint defense projects, enhancing South Korea’s national security and supporting the continued advancement of its aerospace industry. This achievement marks another milestone in South Korea’s efforts to position itself as a leader in advanced military technology.
