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On April 4, an IRIS-T missile was successfully fired from the KF-21 Boramae platform. The European short-range air-to-air missile (identification AIM-2000) with its unrivalled close-in combat and intercept performance has been chosen to be integrated into the Korean indigenous fighter.
Just 10 months after the first flight, the fighter program has executed the first live firing. The test firing aimed at proving the safe separation of the missile from the aircraft and now verifies that IRIS-T is ready to equip the KF-21 as one of world’s most reliable air-to-air missile.
With IRIS-T already integrated into Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, F-16, EF-18, F-5 and Panavia Tornado, the missile has again proven its outstanding compatibility to various platforms.
With the introduction of the KF-21 Boramae into service expected for 2026, IRIS-T will be available for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) as the standard short-range missile for KF-21.
The successful participation of Diehl Defence within the Korean KF-21 Boramae fighter program underlines the company’s position as leading supplier for guided missiles. Diehl Defence expresses its sincere congratulations to Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) as the system integrator and manufacturer of the KF-21. Both teams at KAI and Diehl Defence have achieved a remarkable success and Diehl Defence is ready to remain fully committed to the program.
