“KF-21 Takes Flight: Korea Aerospace Industries Celebrates Groundbreaking IRIS-T Missile Launch!”

Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile (AIM-2000) has been successfully launched for the first time as a guided missile from KAI’s KF-21, South Korea’s 4.5th generation indigenous fighter currently in development. This test launch marks a significant milestone in South Korea’s paramount fighter program.

The successful launch this month builds on previous achievements of IRIS-T evaluations on the KF-21: Just a few months following the aircraft’s initial flight in early 2023, a safe separation test was performed by launching an unguided missile during flight in May 2023. Now, in May 2024, the missile was detected by the onboard AESA radar, effectively engaging the target drone. This extensive test confirms the foundational air-to-air potential of the fighter and reinforces the outstanding performance of IRIS-T.

Manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries and Diehl Defence have been working closely together since 2017 to attain this success. Through their collaborative efforts, both companies achieved yet another effective integration of Europe’s most advanced short-range air-to-air missile.

Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, stated: “I applaud KAI for their extraordinary performance on the KF-21 development project. At Diehl Defence, we take pride in being part of this success story with our IRIS-T air-to-air missile.”

The successful active launch from the KF-21 is also a considerable benchmark for the IRIS-T program’s history. With the upcoming integration into the KF-21, IRIS-T repeatedly showcases its compatibility with both legacy and modern fighter jets. Just in February 2024, KAI and Diehl Defence agreed to start the integration of IRIS-T into KAI’s FA-50. With IRIS-T onboard, both platforms, KF-21 and FA-50, will be thoroughly equipped for demanding missions.

So far, IRIS-T has been integrated into major combat aircraft systems such as the Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, F-16, EF-18, and F-5. The system is currently in use or ordered by numerous NATO nations, along with Brazil, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.