South Korea Reveals First Hypersonic Air-to-Ground Missile HAGM to Boost Regional Deterrence
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At Seoul’s ADEX 2025, South Korea unveiled its first domestically developed air-to-ground hypersonic missile, built for the KF-21 Boramae fighter. The announcement underscores Seoul’s effort to enhance deterrence and self-reliance amid growing regional security tensions.
Seoul, South Korea, October 21, 2025 – During the 2025 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, South Korea officially presented its first indigenous air-to-ground hypersonic missile, a weapon designed to operate from the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter. The new system, developed under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), is capable of striking strategic targets at extreme speeds exceeding Mach 5. Defense officials described the project as a cornerstone of South Korea’s next-generation deterrence strategy, combining advanced propulsion technology with domestic manufacturing expertise.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The newly unveiled HAGM hypersonic air-to-ground missile is on display at ADEX 2025, marking South Korea’s entry into the elite class of nations developing next-generation hypersonic strike weapons. (Picture source lfx160219 X account)
The new South Korean missile, currently described as the HAGM (Hypersonic Air-to-Ground Missile), is listed as having a length of 4.1 m, a diameter of 0.6 m, and a warhead designated CTM-290, weighing approximately 220 kg. Stated performance includes speeds in the Mach 5 to 10 envelope, and a range spanning 500 to 1,000 km. It is intended for launch from the KF-21 fighter jets under the umbrella of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s strike modernization push.
This disclosure marks a turning point for Seoul’s defense posture. Until now, South Korea has largely focused on cruise missiles and more conventional air-to-ground munitions. The introduction of a hypersonic air-launched weapon suggests a leap in both ambition and technological maturity. The range, 500 to 1,000 km, would place the missile firmly in the long-strike category, enabling stand-off attacks from safer launch positions and deeper ingress into contested airspace or heavily defended terrain.
In a region where the missile threat from North Korea is growing, including reports of hypersonic glide vehicles on display, South Korea’s move reflects both a deterrence orientation and a pivot to high-end capabilities. The ability to launch a hypersonic attack from its own fighter aircraft indicates that Seoul intends not only to defend but also to strike, with a speed that challenges current defense intercept regimes.
The missile’s length (4.1 m) and diameter (0.6 m) suggest a compact, stand-off capable design compatible with fighter-borne carriage. The 220 kg warhead (CTM-290) appears modest compared to strategic missiles, but when combined with hypersonic speed and long range, it offers a potent tactical and operational asset for high-value targets such as hardened bunkers, key command nodes, or high-value mobile assets.
The Mach 5 to 10 speed range would give it a time-to-target measured in minutes or less across 300 to 600 km, compressing decision cycles for defenders and increasing survivability of the weapon system. Integration with the KF-21, the twin-engine multi-role fighter developed domestically, reinforces Seoul’s trend toward indigenisation and increased sensor and weapon system integration.
From an operational perspective, the pairing of a hypersonic air-launched missile with the KF-21 offers South Korea a number of enhanced options: stand-off strike capability with extended reach, rapid engagement of time-sensitive targets, improved deterrence posture, and new export potential. For South Korea’s defense-industry ambitions, the unveiling signals a major export piece. A hypersonic-capable missile paired with a home-grown fighter platform could attract foreign buyers seeking advanced Asia-Pacific strike capabilities.
However, several questions remain. There is no public confirmation yet of flight testing, sensor or seekers, terminal guidance modes, or operational integration timelines. The aerodynamic heating, seeker survivability, fuzing against hardened targets, and survivability against layered air defence systems all present non-trivial engineering hurdles. Moreover, the cost per missile, production schedule, payload options such as sub-munitions versus unitary warhead, and export restrictions both domestic and international are unspecified.
Integration into the KF-21 raises questions of load-out. How many missiles can one aircraft carry? What are the implications for range and endurance? How will the missile be cleared for service and what is the certification schedule?
Regionally, the life of this weapon cannot be divorced from the broader security environment. North Korea continues to develop missile and hypersonic capabilities. China’s military modernisation remains high in Seoul’s strategic calculus. By showcasing this new missile at ADEX, South Korea is making not just a defence-industrial statement, but a geopolitical one. It intends to wield high-end strike capability as part of deterrence architecture, not just defensive posture.
For the U.S. and allied forces, the missile offers potential coalition interoperability or even joint production and marketing possibilities. For potential adversaries, the missile raises the bar on air-defended target planning. If fielded in large numbers and operationally deployed, adversary air defence networks will need to evolve to account for fighter-launched hypersonic threats, a significant shift.
In unveiling its first hypersonic air-to-ground missile at ADEX 2025, South Korea has moved from an advanced regional power in defense manufacturing to one that claims a seat among the hypersonic-capable nations. Whether the system will live up to the ambitious performance claims remains to be seen. But for now, the HAGM provides a clear signal: Seoul intends to defend with deterrence and strike with speed. For Army Recognition readers tracking the next wave of air-launched weapons, this is a development to watch closely.Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition GroupAlain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
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At Seoul’s ADEX 2025, South Korea unveiled its first domestically developed air-to-ground hypersonic missile, built for the KF-21 Boramae fighter. The announcement underscores Seoul’s effort to enhance deterrence and self-reliance amid growing regional security tensions.
Seoul, South Korea, October 21, 2025 – During the 2025 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, South Korea officially presented its first indigenous air-to-ground hypersonic missile, a weapon designed to operate from the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter. The new system, developed under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), is capable of striking strategic targets at extreme speeds exceeding Mach 5. Defense officials described the project as a cornerstone of South Korea’s next-generation deterrence strategy, combining advanced propulsion technology with domestic manufacturing expertise.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The newly unveiled HAGM hypersonic air-to-ground missile is on display at ADEX 2025, marking South Korea’s entry into the elite class of nations developing next-generation hypersonic strike weapons. (Picture source lfx160219 X account)
The new South Korean missile, currently described as the HAGM (Hypersonic Air-to-Ground Missile), is listed as having a length of 4.1 m, a diameter of 0.6 m, and a warhead designated CTM-290, weighing approximately 220 kg. Stated performance includes speeds in the Mach 5 to 10 envelope, and a range spanning 500 to 1,000 km. It is intended for launch from the KF-21 fighter jets under the umbrella of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s strike modernization push.
This disclosure marks a turning point for Seoul’s defense posture. Until now, South Korea has largely focused on cruise missiles and more conventional air-to-ground munitions. The introduction of a hypersonic air-launched weapon suggests a leap in both ambition and technological maturity. The range, 500 to 1,000 km, would place the missile firmly in the long-strike category, enabling stand-off attacks from safer launch positions and deeper ingress into contested airspace or heavily defended terrain.
In a region where the missile threat from North Korea is growing, including reports of hypersonic glide vehicles on display, South Korea’s move reflects both a deterrence orientation and a pivot to high-end capabilities. The ability to launch a hypersonic attack from its own fighter aircraft indicates that Seoul intends not only to defend but also to strike, with a speed that challenges current defense intercept regimes.
The missile’s length (4.1 m) and diameter (0.6 m) suggest a compact, stand-off capable design compatible with fighter-borne carriage. The 220 kg warhead (CTM-290) appears modest compared to strategic missiles, but when combined with hypersonic speed and long range, it offers a potent tactical and operational asset for high-value targets such as hardened bunkers, key command nodes, or high-value mobile assets.
The Mach 5 to 10 speed range would give it a time-to-target measured in minutes or less across 300 to 600 km, compressing decision cycles for defenders and increasing survivability of the weapon system. Integration with the KF-21, the twin-engine multi-role fighter developed domestically, reinforces Seoul’s trend toward indigenisation and increased sensor and weapon system integration.
From an operational perspective, the pairing of a hypersonic air-launched missile with the KF-21 offers South Korea a number of enhanced options: stand-off strike capability with extended reach, rapid engagement of time-sensitive targets, improved deterrence posture, and new export potential. For South Korea’s defense-industry ambitions, the unveiling signals a major export piece. A hypersonic-capable missile paired with a home-grown fighter platform could attract foreign buyers seeking advanced Asia-Pacific strike capabilities.
However, several questions remain. There is no public confirmation yet of flight testing, sensor or seekers, terminal guidance modes, or operational integration timelines. The aerodynamic heating, seeker survivability, fuzing against hardened targets, and survivability against layered air defence systems all present non-trivial engineering hurdles. Moreover, the cost per missile, production schedule, payload options such as sub-munitions versus unitary warhead, and export restrictions both domestic and international are unspecified.
Integration into the KF-21 raises questions of load-out. How many missiles can one aircraft carry? What are the implications for range and endurance? How will the missile be cleared for service and what is the certification schedule?
Regionally, the life of this weapon cannot be divorced from the broader security environment. North Korea continues to develop missile and hypersonic capabilities. China’s military modernisation remains high in Seoul’s strategic calculus. By showcasing this new missile at ADEX, South Korea is making not just a defence-industrial statement, but a geopolitical one. It intends to wield high-end strike capability as part of deterrence architecture, not just defensive posture.
For the U.S. and allied forces, the missile offers potential coalition interoperability or even joint production and marketing possibilities. For potential adversaries, the missile raises the bar on air-defended target planning. If fielded in large numbers and operationally deployed, adversary air defence networks will need to evolve to account for fighter-launched hypersonic threats, a significant shift.
In unveiling its first hypersonic air-to-ground missile at ADEX 2025, South Korea has moved from an advanced regional power in defense manufacturing to one that claims a seat among the hypersonic-capable nations. Whether the system will live up to the ambitious performance claims remains to be seen. But for now, the HAGM provides a clear signal: Seoul intends to defend with deterrence and strike with speed. For Army Recognition readers tracking the next wave of air-launched weapons, this is a development to watch closely.
Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
