Diehl Defence, KAI Complete KF-21, IRIS-T Integration

AT the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) commemorated the successful integration of Diehl Defence’s IRIS‑T short‑range air‑to‑air missile (AAM) into the KF‑21 fighter jet under development and to deepen the partnership with Diehl Defence, a German specialist in missile development and production which has been a crucial partner in bringing the IRIS‑T to market.

The event celebrated the results of our joint efforts to date and set the stage for further collaboration on armament expansion, joint marketing, and export initiatives. Moving forward, the IRIS‑T is slated for integration into the FA‑50 multi-role fighter, enhancing its armament versatility and strengthening its export competitiveness on the global stage.

The FA‑50 remains a cornerstone of Korea’s defence exports, earning recognition for its outstanding performance and proven reliability. Continued enhancements—such as upgraded radar and weapons systems, development of a single‑seat variant, and exploration of additional programs—will sustain its growth in international markets.

In May 2024, the IRIS-T was launched for the first time from the KF-21, a significant milestone in the 4.5th-generation indigenous fighter programme. The missile was designated by the onboard active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and successfully engaged the target drone.  The successful live firing demonstrates the technical feasibility and commitment to integrating the missile into KAI’s combat fleet, with the FA-50 integration following closely behind.

The FA-50 was originally a trainer aircraft in the form of the T-50, which then evolved into the light combat TA-50 and light fighter/attack FA-50. Indonesia and Thailand both operate the T-50, but Thailand’s T-50s are fitted with fighter-specific equipment and compatible for carrying ordnance. Iraq operates a T-50IQ that is the Iraqi FA-50 variant, while Poland and the Philippines operate the FA-50. Malaysia is awaiting the completion of its first of 18 units for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). 

The Philippines ordered another 12 FA-50PHs in a US$706 million deal to add on to an initial batch of 12 serving in the Philippine Air Force (PAF) since 2014, performing well in combat missions over the years including the FA-50PH’s baptism of fire in multiple close air support (CAS) missions and credited as the “game changer” of the Marawi campaign. However, one FA-50PH was lost in a crash this March which led to the FA-50PH fleet’s grounding before being lifted close to two months later towards the end of April.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:KAI)