IRIS-T missile live-fired for first time from South Korea’s KF-21 fighter

As part of the development of South Korea’s KF-21 4.5-generation fighter the manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), test fired a Diehl Defence IRIS-T (AIM-2000) short-range air-to-air missile from the aircraft for the first time in May 2024.

As Diehl announced on 17 May, the IRIS-T launched by the KF-21 successfully engaged the target drone.

“This end-to-end test proves the initial air-to-air capability of the fighter and underlines once more the outstanding performance of the IRIS-T,” Diehl stated in a press release.

KAI and Diehl Defence have been working closely together to integrate the IRIS-T on the KF-21 since 2017. Just a few months after the first flight of the aircraft in early 2023, a safe separation test was conducted by firing an unguided IRIS-T in May 2023.

Diehl also sees the successful live firing from the KF-21 as an important milestone for the success of the IRIS-T programme itself. “With the upcoming integration into the KF-21, IRIS-T is once again proving its compatibility with both legacy and modern combat aircraft. It was only in February 2024 that KAI and Diehl Defence agreed to begin integrating IRIS-T into KAI’s FA-50. With IRIS-T on board, both platforms, KF-21 and FA-50, will be ready for demanding missions,” Diehl stated.

So far, the IRIS-T has been integrated into major combat aircraft platforms such as the Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16, Boeing EF-18 and Northrop F-5. The system is in service or on order with several NATO countries as well as Brazil, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Meanwhile, IRIS-T missile variants for use with land-based launchers are making an impact in the air defence market. The first systems with the designation SL (surface launched) have been in service since 2020. In Ukraine the SLM medium-range version has proven itself in the campaign against Russia with high launch numbers. In the meantime, double-digit orders have been received, including from Germany, where the first system is due to be delivered this year.