Indonesia Finalizes KF-21 Fighter Jet Contribution; Prototypes Ready for Delivery

Indonesia has completed its financial obligations for the joint development of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, paving the way for the delivery of prototype aircraft. The Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea, Cecep Herawan, confirmed that the nation has settled its contribution for the project.

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Prototypes from six KF-21 aircraft have been agreed upon and will be handed over to Indonesia, one prototype from the six. Hopefully, it can be realized in the near future.

Herawan announced that prototypes of the next-generation, 4.5-generation fighter jet, co-developed with South Korea, are ready for handover. "Prototypes from six KF-21 aircraft have been agreed upon and will be handed over to Indonesia, one prototype from the six," he stated during an event in Seoul. He expressed optimism that the delivery would materialize soon.

The joint development of the KF-21, which began over a decade ago, officially concluded in June 2026. The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul plans to discuss the future phases of the KF-21 program, particularly concerning the utilization of its production outcomes. Ambassador Herawan noted that Indonesia is a crucial partner for South Korea in the defense industry, with a history of collaboration dating back to 1979.

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How it will be in the future, of course, we leave it to the decision-makers in Indonesia.

Past defense cooperation includes Indonesia's purchase of KT-1 Woongbi trainer aircraft in 2003 and Mini F-16 aircraft in 2011, as well as joint submarine development initiated in 2017. The ambassador also emphasized the importance of knowledge transfer and human resource development in the defense sector, noting South Korea's own experience in acquiring technology from the United States.

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And we learn defense industry from what Korea has learned from America to Korea. And many things that Korean friends tell us off the record about how to acquire technology well and less sensitively.

Kim Gi-hyeon, Chairman of the South Korea-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Association, highlighted South Korea's advanced yet cost-effective defense technology, citing the performance of its weaponry in various global conflicts. He believes the partnership offers significant benefits to Indonesia, including technology transfer and training for operating and managing sophisticated systems.

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I believe that it will be very beneficial for Indonesia to strengthen cooperation with Korea. Korea not only provides technology transfer but also develops and trains human resources to operate and manage these systems.