LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) and Hanwha Aerospace are expected to divide development of South Korea’s first domestically produced long-range air-to-air missile for the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. The Agency for Defense Development notified participating companies of evaluation results, with LIG D&A scoring highest in five areas including system integration and seeker technology, while Hanwha Aerospace led in three areas covering major components such as the airframe, propulsion, warhead and fuze. Hanwha is therefore expected to develop the missile body and engine, while LIG D&A would develop the seeker and integrate the weapon system. The preferred bidder has not yet been finalized. The project is intended to replace the European MBDA-made Meteor missile currently used on the KF-21, requiring 753.5 billion Korean won through 2033 and a further 1.1471 trillion won for mass production beginning in 2035. The total development and production investment is approximately 1.9 trillion won. Localization would reduce reliance on foreign armaments and could support future exports of the fighter and missile together. Hanwha’s solid ducted ramjet expertise and LIG D&A’s seeker and integration capabilities were central to the evaluation. Korea Aerospace Industries delivered the first mass-produced KF-21 to the Air Force last month, while Hanwha has invested more than 2 trillion won since late last year to increase its stake in KAI.