KAI, Hyundai Rotem to team up on long-range air-to-air missiles for KF-21

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hyundai Rotem have entered into a strategic partnership to jointly develop and integrate advanced long-range air-to-air missiles for the KF-21 fighter jet. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on airborne weapons cooperation at KAI's headquarters in Sacheon, South Korea on Wednesday.

This collaboration will extend to the development and systems integration of aircraft platforms, including the KF-21, as well as airborne weapons systems, with a focus on long-range air-to-air missiles. The memorandum of understanding also outlines plans to explore package-type export models that combine aircraft with onboard weapons, and to cooperate in identifying business opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Hyundai Rotem is currently expanding its reach beyond ground weapon systems into the aerospace sector, with a focus on the development of propulsion systems, long-range air-to-air guided weapons, and hypersonic flight vehicles. The signing of this memorandum comes as Hyundai Rotem continues to strengthen its position in the global aerospace market.