South Korea conducts separation test for homegrown long-range air-to-surface missile

ANKARA

South Korea successfully conducted a safe separation test Wednesday for a homegrown long-range air-to-surface guided missile under development, according to a local media report.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the test was conducted Monday to verify whether the missile clearly detaches from the aircraft without affecting its safety and functions, Yonhap News Agency reported.

DAPA said it will conduct various tests of the missile using a test FA-50 aircraft before moving to full integration trials with a KF-21 prototype beginning in 2027.

The missile is part of a project launched in 2018 aimed at developing precision strike capabilities for the next-generation KF-21 fighter jet.

The agency said the test marks a key milestone in the project and expects the guided missiles to be exported alongside the KF-21 to boost arms exports.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid