The military authorities have begun the process to secure a budget for long-range air-to-air guided weapons, which are missile systems that reach their targets and explode using guidance mechanisms. This project was delayed by a year due to the aftermath of the emergency martial law declared on Dec. 3 last year, and there are concerns that further delays could disrupt the exports and operational capabilities of the Korean next-generation fighter jet KF-21.
Long-range air-to-air guided weapons are systems designed to respond to enemy fighter jets from a distance or ensure the survival of pilots, and they are expected to be installed on the KF-21. The military recognized the need for development in 2021, but at that time, the success of the KF-21's development was not guaranteed, so specific development plans could not be finalized, which were determined last year.
Initially, the military planned to invest a total of 542.4 billion won in the system development of long-range air-to-air guided weapons from this year to 2032. However, due to the completion of the feasibility study being delayed last year and budget cuts, the project was pushed back by a year. System development has been rescheduled from 2026 to 2033, and mass production and operationalization will now take place from 2033 to 2038.
The military plans to implement Block I, introducing KF-21 equipped with British long-range air-to-air missiles Meteor and German AIM-2000 from next year through 2028. Block II of the KF-21 project, which includes performance upgrades such as air-to-ground missile armament, aims to complete system development by the end of 2028 and operationalize 80 units by 2032.
The timeline for the operationalization of domestically produced long-range air-to-air missiles has been pushed back from 2035 to 2036, but there are also forecasts that it may take longer to integrate the aircraft with the missiles. This is because both the long-range air-to-air guided weapons and the KF-21 are the first of their kind developed with domestic technology, which means there is a possibility of errors. It is known that the integration between the F-15K and the Taurus missile took over three years.
Considering the integration between the fighter jets and missiles, the period during which the KF-21 will have to rely on foreign armaments could be extended. Foreign armaments are expensive and impose constraints on training and exports.
Industry insiders are concerned about the adverse effects on exports resulting from the project delays. The Deputy Minister of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Al Alawi, visited the South Korean Air Force on the 7th and showed interest by boarding the KF-21. Other countries interested in the KF-21 are reportedly demanding performance upgrades for missiles and electronic warfare equipment, which includes equipment for battlefield situational awareness and ensuring survivability. An industry insider noted, "If performance upgrades are delayed, demand will disappear, so we need to accelerate development."
A military official stated, "There is a consensus in the National Assembly on the need to introduce a budget to prevent operational gaps in exports and the military's capabilities regarding the KF-21."