Indonesia Set to Receive KF-21 Boramae Prototype Following Completion of Joint Development Program
10 Juni 2026
SEOUL — Indonesia is preparing to receive a prototype of the
KF-21 Boramae fighter jet from
South Korea after fulfilling its financial obligations under the bilateral fighter aircraft development program.
According to Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea
Cecep Herawan, the joint KF-21 development project, which has been underway for more than a decade, is scheduled to be formally completed in June 2026.
As part of the agreement between the two countries, Indonesia will receive
one prototype aircraft from the six KF-21 prototypes that have been produced during the development phase.
“It has been agreed that one of the six KF-21 prototype aircraft will be handed over to Indonesia. Hopefully, this can be realized in the near future,” Cecep said during the Indonesian Next-Generation Journalist Network program in Seoul on June 10, 2026.
The prototype to be transferred is reportedly a
single-seat KF-21 aircraft that has been used for various flight verification activities, including aerial refueling trials.
Transition from Development to Future Cooperation
Cecep stated that the joint development phase has now concluded and future discussions will focus on how Indonesia will utilize the program's outcomes and explore potential follow-on cooperation.
“As for future steps, we leave those decisions to Indonesia’s policymakers,” he said.
The ambassador described Indonesia as one of South Korea's most important defense industry partners, noting that defense cooperation between the two countries spans several decades.
Indonesia has been a customer of South Korean defense products since 1979 and has participated in numerous bilateral defense programs.
Notable acquisitions include:
- KT-1 Woongbi trainer aircraft acquired in 2003 and currently used by the Indonesian Air Force's Jupiter Aerobatic Team.
- Additional trainer and light combat aircraft acquisitions in 2011.
- Cooperation in submarine construction beginning in 2017.
Technology Transfer Remains a Key Objective
Cecep emphasized that technology transfer and human capital development remain among the most valuable aspects of Indonesia's defense partnership with South Korea.
According to him, South Korea's experience in developing advanced defense technologies provides Indonesia with important lessons for strengthening its own defense industrial base.
“South Korea learned much of its defense industrial capability from the United States, and Indonesia is learning from South Korea's experience. Technology transfer and human resource development are important components of this cooperation,” he said.
Prototype Package Valued at KRW 600 Billion
The KF-21 prototype transfer package is reportedly valued at approximately
600 billion South Korean won (about USD 440 million).
The package includes:
- A prototype KF-21 aircraft valued at roughly 350 billion won (approximately USD 257 million)
- Additional development-related assets, equipment, and associated program costs
South Korea Highlights Defense Cooperation Benefits
Separately,
Kim Gi-Hyeon said South Korea's defense industry is now among the world's most technologically advanced while remaining relatively cost-competitive.
He argued that deeper defense cooperation would benefit Indonesia not only through technology transfers but also through training and capability development for Indonesian personnel.
“South Korea does not only provide technology transfer. It also contributes to the development and training of human resources needed to operate and manage these systems,” Kim said.
The KF-21 program represents one of Indonesia's most significant international defense-industrial partnerships and is expected to play an important role in strengthening the country's future aerospace and defense capabilities.
Source: ANTARA
Indonesia bersiap menerima satu unit prototipe jet tempur KF-21 Boramae dari Korea Selatan setelah menyelesaikan kewajiban kontribusi pembiayaan dalam proyek ...
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