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KAI and Hyundai Rotem to develop long-range air-to-air missile for KF-21 and pursue export packages

Korea Aerospace Industries and Hyundai Rotem signed an MOU to jointly develop and integrate a long-range air-to-air missile for South Korea’s KF-21 fighter. The companies will also explore exporting combined aircraft-and-weapons packages, linking the fighter’s market prospects to a domestically developed missile capability.

Discovered 2026-08-12T17:53:32.408291-07:00 | 2026-08-12T17:53:32.408291-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The MOU expands the KF-21 program beyond the aircraft itself by adding a planned long-range air-to-air weapon and its integration into the fighter.
A combined aircraft-and-weapons offering could strengthen South Korea’s ability to market the KF-21 in global defense competitions.
The agreement brings KAI and Hyundai Rotem together on a major domestic defense effort as Hanwha Group increases its stake in KAI beyond 15%.

Reported By

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