MBDA and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 20, 2025, for the integration of the SPEAR air-to-surface missile into the KF-21 Boramae fighter of the Republic of Korea Air Force.
The agreement, announced during the Seoul ADEX 2025 airshow, marks a new milestone in the cooperation between the two companies and aims to strengthen the precision strike capabilities of South Korea’s new combat aircraft. According to MBDA, the MoU “reinforces the cooperation between MBDA and KAI and will enhance the precision strike capability of the KF-21 by combining KAI’s next-generation fighter with MBDA’s expertise in complex weapon systems.”
The KF-21 Boramae, already equipped with Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, will now incorporate the SPEAR, a system designed to deliver precise effects with low collateral damage, high platform/weapon survivability, and a substantial payload. The missile, powered by a turbojet engine and equipped with a precision warhead and an advanced multi-sensor seeker, can engage a wide range of land and maritime targets beyond visual range.
This new step builds upon the agreement signed in June 2023 between MBDA and KAI, which laid the foundation for cooperation on integrating weapon systems developed by the European manufacturer into South Korean aircraft platforms.
In November 2023, both parties formalized another agreement in London to deepen this collaboration. The document, signed by Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, and Kang Goo-young, CEO of KAI, during a South Korean state visit to the United Kingdom, outlined joint initiatives for weapon integration—including the SPEAR and Brimstone air-to-surface missiles, the ASRAAM air-to-air missile—and joint export projects.
KAI continues the development of the KF-21 Boramae, a program launched in 2015 with an estimated investment of USD 6.74 billion. Intended to replace the aging F-4 Phantom II and F-5E Tiger II fighter-bombers, the program currently has six flying prototypes—four single-seat and two twin-seat aircraft—participating in flight test campaigns.
In December 2024, MBDA announced the completion of the Meteor missile integration phase on the KF-21, following joint work with KAI and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The Meteor, considered one of the most advanced air-to-air missiles in service, offers a range exceeding 200 kilometers and a “no-escape zone” of approximately 60 kilometers, thanks to its active radar seeker and ramjet propulsion system.
The integration of the SPEAR missile further strengthens the strategic relationship between MBDA and KAI, consolidating industrial cooperation between the two companies in the development and integration of advanced weapon systems for South Korea’s air platforms.
Cover image for illustrative purposes only.
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