Hyundai Rotem and KAI Collaborate on Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile Development

23 Agustus 2026

KF-21 with air-to-air missile (photo: KAI)

Hyundai Rotem is partnering with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to internalize aviation weapon technology, including long-range air-to-air missiles to be mounted on the KF-21.

Hyundai Rotem announced on the 13th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on aviation armament business cooperation with KAI at the KAI headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongnam on the 12th to enhance the global competitiveness of the K-defense industry and develop aviation armament.

The signing ceremony for the MOU, held in the presence of officials including Cho Hyung-joon, Head of Hyundai Rotem’s AD&RH Business Division, and Kim Yong-min, Head of KAI’s Business Division, was organized to expand technological cooperation and mutual exchange in the field of aviation armament based on the core competencies of both companies and to enhance competitiveness in the global market.

Through this agreement, the two companies plan to expand cooperation in various fields, including: 

▲ technical cooperation for the development and system integration of aircraft platforms, such as the Korean supersonic fighter KF-21, and air armaments, including long-range air-to-air missiles; 

▲ identification of package-type export models linking aircraft platforms and onboard armaments; and 

▲ joint identification of domestic and international business opportunities and global marketing.

This collaboration aims to secure a competitive edge in providing a "Total Solution" that offers aircraft and weapons as a single unit by combining Hyundai Rotem's guided weapon and propulsion system technologies with KAI's aircraft platform technology, in response to the recent trend in the global defense market of expanding package-type exports that offer integrated aircraft and weapons. In addition to this agreement, Hyundai Rotem plans to contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic space industry and expanding domestic and international markets through its diverse space business capabilities.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Rotem has continuously expanded its business scope beyond ground weapon systems into the aerospace sector. The company has accumulated independent aerospace technological capabilities by conducting R&D on various future propulsion systems, including the development of hypersonic propulsion systems, a core technology for aircraft armament. Last year, the company secured various key technology R&D projects, such as the development of methane engine technology for reusable launch vehicles led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and the development of a long-range air-to-air guided weapon prototype and the hypersonic vehicle 'HyCore' led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), thereby expanding its position as a key player in the future aerospace field.

"This agreement will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen competitiveness in the future aviation armament sector by combining the core technologies of both companies," said a Hyundai Rotem official. "Based on the expertise and business capabilities of both companies, we will contribute to strengthening national defense and enhancing self-reliant defense capabilities through healthy competition, and strive to help the domestic defense industry develop based on diversity."

(Hyundai Rotem)