Hanwha Aerospace and a Hyundai Rotem–LIG D&A team square off for the 1.9 trillion won KF-21 long-range air-to-air missile, with a preferred bidder due October 12

The Agency for Defense Development closed proposals on September 7, 2026 for the system development of a domestic long-range air-to-air missile for the KF-21, nicknamed the Korean Meteor. Hanwha Aerospace bid alone against a consortium of Hyundai Rotem and LIG Defense & Aerospace. Development runs from December 2026 to 2033 at about KRW 753.5 billion, with follow-on production of about KRW 1.15 trillion from 2035 taking the program to roughly KRW 1.9 trillion. Proposals are evaluated October 6 to 8, a preferred bidder is to be named October 12, and negotiations run from October 19 toward a year-end contract. The contest turns on the solid ducted ramjet propulsion and on system integration with the fighter: Hanwha cites five of six government ramjet research projects since 2021, a December 2025 integration-technology agreement with ADD, and a cooperation MOU with KAI, while Hyundai Rotem points to more than 30 years of aerospace engine work and a Mach 6 hypersonic test vehicle.