South Korea’s efforts to develop a homegrown long-range missile will take longer than expected.
According to local media, the project has been delayed by a year following the aftermath of the emergency martial law declared in December last year.
The South Korean military had originally planned to start development this year and continue through 2032, with a total investment of 542.4 billion won ($387.9 million) until official integration.
Now, the project is set to begin in 2026, pushing the target completion to 2033.
The missile’s operationalization has also shifted from 2035 to 2036, though some experts warn the timeline could be extended further.
The long-range air-to-air weapon, which will use a guidance system to strike targets accurately, is set to be fitted on the upcoming KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. As a first-of-its-kind integration, developers will need to anticipate and manage potential errors.
Risking KF-21 Exports
Since the long-range missile is intended for the KF-21, further delays could disrupt exports of the next-generation fighter aircraft.
Block II of the Boramae program, which includes performance upgrades and advanced missile integration, is scheduled for completion by 2028.
Any setbacks may force the aircraft to rely on costly foreign armaments, limiting export potential.
The UAE has already expressed interest in the KF-21 and signed a cooperation deal with South Korea for its development.
“If performance upgrades are delayed, demand will disappear, so we need to accelerate development,” an industry insider told Chosun Biz.
