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South Korea to Boost KF-21 Fighter Jet Firepower with MBDA's Advanced Air-to-Air Missile Integration.
On December 6, 2024, MBDA announced the successful integration of the Meteor missile, the world’s most advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), onto the Republic of Korea’s next-generation KF-21 Boramae fighter. This project, a model of exemplary international collaboration, combines cutting-edge technical expertise and industrial innovation. Equipped with a unique ramjet engine, the Meteor stands out for its ability to maintain propulsion until impact, ensuring unmatched range and kinematic performance that makes it nearly impossible for targets to evade.
MBDA Meteor air-to-air missile equips Next-Gen South Korean KF-21 Fighter Jet (Picture source: MBDA)
In November 2024, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a contract with MBDA for the procurement of 100 Meteor air-to-air missiles to equip the KF-21 Boramae fighters. This agreement aims to provide the South Korean Air Force with state-of-the-art air combat capabilities, aligning with the phased introduction of the KF-21 beginning in 2026. While the exact contract value has not been officially disclosed, comparable deals in other countries for similar quantities of Meteor missiles have been estimated at approximately €200 million. This acquisition is part of South Korea's broader military modernization strategy, strengthening its ability to counter contemporary aerial threats.
Integrating the Meteor onto the KF-21 presented a significant technical challenge, requiring expertise in areas such as aerodynamics, radar engineering, embedded software, and data links. Through close collaboration among MBDA, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and DAPA, these challenges were successfully overcome. A historic milestone was reached in July 2022 when the KF-21 conducted its first flight equipped with four Meteor missiles—a first for a developmental fighter aircraft.
The project advanced rapidly, moving to ejection tests in 2023 and a series of successful live-fire trials in early 2024, confirming the Meteor’s exceptional performance on the KF-21. Production has now commenced, ensuring that the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) will receive its first operational Meteor missiles in line with the KF-21’s initial deployment schedule. Additionally, the ROKAF benefits from streamlined logistics, as the Meteor is also compatible with the F-35, enabling a more homogeneous and interoperable fleet.
The integration of the Meteor air-to-air missile with the KF-21 Boramae provides the South Korean armed forces with significant air superiority capabilities. With a maximum range of 200 km and speeds reaching Mach 4, the Meteor allows engagement of distant targets before they pose a direct threat. This capability is further enhanced by the KF-21’s AESA radar, which effectively detects and tracks targets at long range, optimizing missile performance. The Meteor is designed to be effective against a wide range of targets, including fighter jets and cruise missiles, enhancing the operational flexibility of the South Korean Air Force. By integrating the Meteor, the KF-21 positions itself among the most advanced combat platforms, reinforcing South Korea’s aerial defense posture against regional threats.
The Meteor missile, which will equip the KF-21 Boramae, is a next-generation air-to-air missile designed for beyond-visual-range engagements with unmatched performance. Featuring a ramjet engine, it achieves an operational range exceeding 150 km and maintains speeds over Mach 4 throughout its flight thanks to sustained propulsion. Unlike conventional missiles, which lose energy during their terminal phase, the Meteor retains high kinetic energy until impact, ensuring lethal effectiveness against maneuvering targets. It is equipped with an active radar seeker for precise target acquisition and tracking, along with a bidirectional data link that enables real-time updates from the host aircraft. With a length of 3.7 meters and a weight of approximately 190 kg, the Meteor is optimized for internal carriage on the KF-21, preserving the aircraft’s stealth characteristics while providing South Korea with advanced air superiority through cutting-edge technology.
The partnership between MBDA, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and DAPA builds on years of strategic cooperation aimed at enhancing South Korea’s military capabilities with state-of-the-art systems. Officially launched in November 2019, when MBDA signed a contract to integrate the Meteor onto the KF-X (now KF-21 Boramae), this ambitious project included knowledge transfer, support for Meteor integration, and the development of testing equipment for trials. Beyond the Meteor, MBDA has collaborated on other programs, including discussions on the Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile for precision strikes and the CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) system to strengthen air defenses. Thanks to exemplary technical coordination between MBDA, KAI, and DAPA, the KF-21’s first flight carrying four Meteors occurred in July 2022. This success was followed by ejection tests in 2023 and a successful live-fire campaign in early 2024, solidifying a collaboration essential for modernizing South Korea’s armed forces.
Developed by MBDA, the Meteor is the result of decades of technological innovation in long-range air-to-air missiles. Its development began in the 1990s to meet NATO’s requirement for a missile surpassing existing systems like the U.S. AMRAAM. In 2003, MBDA was selected to lead this multinational program, involving six European nations: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. The Meteor was designed to deliver exceptional range and the ability to engage maneuvering targets at extreme distances, leveraging its advanced ramjet propulsion system. Initial flight tests began in 2005, and after extensive trials, the missile became operational in 2016, first with the Royal Air Force’s Typhoons. Since then, it has been integrated into other advanced platforms, such as the Rafale and Gripen, and continues to play a central role in modernizing allied air forces worldwide.