Breaking News: South Korea Successfully Tests New Guided Missile to Give KF-21 Fighter Jet Stealth Deep-Strike Capability
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On June 25, 2025, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the successful safe separation flight test of a domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile, designed to be integrated into the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. Conducted by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s 3rd Fighter Wing using a FA-50 platform, the test highlights Seoul’s progress in fielding precision deep-strike capabilities through indigenous systems. As reported by Bemil.Chosun and other Korean defense sources, this milestone strengthens both national defense and the export potential of South Korea’s homegrown fighter program. It also signals a shift toward strategic autonomy in advanced air-delivered weaponry.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
South Korea’s domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile represents more than a new weapon, it symbolizes a decisive leap in sovereign strike capability (Picture source: South Korean DAPA)
The domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile is the centerpiece of South Korea’s second-phase strike weapons program, launched to create a precision-guided standoff munition with stealth characteristics and high lethality. Built entirely with South Korean technologies, the missile features a terrain-following flight profile, GPS and inertial navigation, and a reduced radar signature. During the recent test, an inert missile was safely released from an FA-50 test aircraft, confirming aerodynamic stability, structural clearance, and basic flight safety, critical steps toward integration with the KF-21. Though often referred to unofficially as the “Korean Taurus,” this missile is not yet formally named.
Initiated in 2018, the long-range missile program underwent exploratory development from 2019 to 2021, confirming key features such as stealth shaping and autonomous guidance. Full-scale development began in 2022 under the direction of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), with DAPA overseeing operational feasibility trials. Over three months between April and June 2025, a series of 31 flight sorties evaluated airframe flutter, control stability, and missile separation safety. The recent test flight validated that the missile could detach cleanly from the aircraft without affecting its structure or onboard systems, clearing a major hurdle toward operational use.
Compared to legacy munitions such as the German Taurus KEPD 350, which is currently deployed on South Korea’s F-15K fighter jets, the domestically developed missile adds newer digital subsystems, improved modularity, and locally adapted design features. Its eventual pairing with the KF-21 platform is expected to result in a leaner, more agile, and lower-maintenance strike package. Unlike imported systems, the missile offers full domestic production control, a critical factor in mitigating risks posed by export restrictions or geopolitical tensions. Similar in concept to the UK’s Storm Shadow or France’s SCALP-EG, the missile is being tailored for the specific needs of South Korea’s defense posture and terrain.
The strategic implications are significant. Regionally, the missile strengthens South Korea’s deterrence capabilities by enabling precision strikes on high-value enemy infrastructure early in a conflict, while also supporting a rapid-response doctrine aligned with allied operations in the Indo-Pacific. Internationally, pairing the missile with the KF-21 supports South Korea’s ambitions to become a global defense exporter. Potential buyers seeking turnkey airpower solutions could find value in acquiring a fighter already integrated with a domestically produced strike weapon. Moreover, the platform’s compatibility with advanced avionics and future AI-enhanced capabilities aligns with emerging NATO and Indo-Pacific operational doctrines.
DAPA has committed approximately €1.1 billion to the current development phase, part of a broader €3.9 billion investment into next-generation air combat systems. While the missile has not yet been contracted for foreign sales, its integration into the KF-21 export roadmap suggests future bundling opportunities. Countries such as Indonesia, a co-developer of the KF-21, and other NATO or ASEAN partners may show interest once the system achieves full operational status. Further test flights, including live-fire evaluations and system integration on KF-21 prototypes, are scheduled from 2027 onward, with initial operational capability targeted before 2030.
South Korea’s domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile represents more than a new weapon, it symbolizes a decisive leap in sovereign strike capability. Its successful test marks a turning point in the country’s effort to pair indigenous missile technology with its first homegrown fighter aircraft, creating a powerful, export-ready combination. As Seoul moves closer to full operational integration, the system enhances national security while boosting South Korea’s credibility as a supplier of advanced precision strike platforms on the global defense stage.
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On June 25, 2025, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the successful safe separation flight test of a domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile, designed to be integrated into the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. Conducted by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s 3rd Fighter Wing using a FA-50 platform, the test highlights Seoul’s progress in fielding precision deep-strike capabilities through indigenous systems. As reported by Bemil.Chosun and other Korean defense sources, this milestone strengthens both national defense and the export potential of South Korea’s homegrown fighter program. It also signals a shift toward strategic autonomy in advanced air-delivered weaponry.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
South Korea’s domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile represents more than a new weapon, it symbolizes a decisive leap in sovereign strike capability (Picture source: South Korean DAPA)
The domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile is the centerpiece of South Korea’s second-phase strike weapons program, launched to create a precision-guided standoff munition with stealth characteristics and high lethality. Built entirely with South Korean technologies, the missile features a terrain-following flight profile, GPS and inertial navigation, and a reduced radar signature. During the recent test, an inert missile was safely released from an FA-50 test aircraft, confirming aerodynamic stability, structural clearance, and basic flight safety, critical steps toward integration with the KF-21. Though often referred to unofficially as the “Korean Taurus,” this missile is not yet formally named.
Initiated in 2018, the long-range missile program underwent exploratory development from 2019 to 2021, confirming key features such as stealth shaping and autonomous guidance. Full-scale development began in 2022 under the direction of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), with DAPA overseeing operational feasibility trials. Over three months between April and June 2025, a series of 31 flight sorties evaluated airframe flutter, control stability, and missile separation safety. The recent test flight validated that the missile could detach cleanly from the aircraft without affecting its structure or onboard systems, clearing a major hurdle toward operational use.
Compared to legacy munitions such as the German Taurus KEPD 350, which is currently deployed on South Korea’s F-15K fighter jets, the domestically developed missile adds newer digital subsystems, improved modularity, and locally adapted design features. Its eventual pairing with the KF-21 platform is expected to result in a leaner, more agile, and lower-maintenance strike package. Unlike imported systems, the missile offers full domestic production control, a critical factor in mitigating risks posed by export restrictions or geopolitical tensions. Similar in concept to the UK’s Storm Shadow or France’s SCALP-EG, the missile is being tailored for the specific needs of South Korea’s defense posture and terrain.
The strategic implications are significant. Regionally, the missile strengthens South Korea’s deterrence capabilities by enabling precision strikes on high-value enemy infrastructure early in a conflict, while also supporting a rapid-response doctrine aligned with allied operations in the Indo-Pacific. Internationally, pairing the missile with the KF-21 supports South Korea’s ambitions to become a global defense exporter. Potential buyers seeking turnkey airpower solutions could find value in acquiring a fighter already integrated with a domestically produced strike weapon. Moreover, the platform’s compatibility with advanced avionics and future AI-enhanced capabilities aligns with emerging NATO and Indo-Pacific operational doctrines.
DAPA has committed approximately €1.1 billion to the current development phase, part of a broader €3.9 billion investment into next-generation air combat systems. While the missile has not yet been contracted for foreign sales, its integration into the KF-21 export roadmap suggests future bundling opportunities. Countries such as Indonesia, a co-developer of the KF-21, and other NATO or ASEAN partners may show interest once the system achieves full operational status. Further test flights, including live-fire evaluations and system integration on KF-21 prototypes, are scheduled from 2027 onward, with initial operational capability targeted before 2030.
South Korea’s domestically developed long-range air-to-surface guided missile represents more than a new weapon, it symbolizes a decisive leap in sovereign strike capability. Its successful test marks a turning point in the country’s effort to pair indigenous missile technology with its first homegrown fighter aircraft, creating a powerful, export-ready combination. As Seoul moves closer to full operational integration, the system enhances national security while boosting South Korea’s credibility as a supplier of advanced precision strike platforms on the global defense stage.
