Opposite to the unique plans, Indonesia won’t co-produce the KF-21 Boramae domestically, choosing a direct procurement from South Korea.
The previous variations between South Korea and Indonesia over the KF-21 Boramae fighter program seem to have reached some decision, as Jakarta confirmed on Jun. 29, 2026 that it will not co-produce the jet domestically. Initially, the KF-21 was deliberate to be manufactured by Dirgantara Indonesia as a junior associate to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), earlier than disagreements over the financial contribution, expertise sharing, workshare and an alleged case of mental property theft created friction between the 2 international locations.
There have been indicators of this eventuality in 2025 when, following the collection of disputes, South Korea introduced it will cut back Indonesia’s contribution to 600 billion received (roughly $389 million). This was a significant drop from the 1.6 trillion received (round $1 billion) Indonesia had initially agreed on for the challenge that’s now reportedly price 8.1 trillion received (almost $5.3 billion).
Nevertheless, Seoul is however more likely to approve the switch of one of many six KF-21 prototypes to Jakarta. This follows a February plan for a “worth switch” agreed with Indonesia, the Protection Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) revealed to the Nationwide Meeting’s Nationwide Protection Committee in April.
Based on the Korea JoongAng Day by day, the overall worth of the switch of the fifth prototype is commensurate with the 600 billion received ($389 million) ultimate Indonesian contribution.The fifth prototype of the KF-21 performed its first flight in Could 2023, and has subsequently participated within the trials of the AESA radar and aerial refuelling assessments.
Indonesia abandons KF-21 co-production in strategic shockwave as Jakarta turns to direct fighter buy from South Korea.
Can anybody give me a context to this? pic.twitter.com/oBsA9SKBna
— Harrier023 (@av8harrier023) June 28, 2026
The KF-21 has been progressing steadily over the previous couple of years, conducting pit-drop trials of assorted air-to-surface weapons in December 2025 and concluding its flight take a look at marketing campaign by January 2026 forward of schedule. KAI rolled out the primary of 40 serial manufacturing plane in March 2026 and, two weeks in the past, DAPA additionally granted the KF-21 and preliminary sort certificates for operations after the plane met all 745 inspection necessities throughout 14 airworthiness classes. These included airframe construction, weapons integration and digital programs.
No jets to be manufactured in Indonesia
Indonesia’s protection ministry spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait confirmed the event to Jakarta Globe, which first reported it. “The federal government is adjusting the scheme within the KF-21 Boramae program. We are going to now not co-produce the jet, however we’ll undertake a direct procurement mechanism,” Sirait instructed the information outlet.
Turun Kelas Jadi Pembeli Reguler KF-21, Investasi Ratusan Juta Dolar AS Indonesia Jadi Sorotan pic.twitter.com/vFWDX2U8i9
— Indomiliter.com (@indomiliter) June 28, 2026
The federal government, in response to Sirait, has made a “complete analysis” of the KF-21 program, bearing in mind “this system’s effectiveness, expertise switch, financial worth, and home protection wants.” He “additionally admitted that Indonesia had not selected what number of KF-21 jets it will purchase below the brand new mechanism,” Jakarta Globe added.
Fifth prototype switch to Indonesia
Based on KJAD, the switch of the single-seat fifth prototype is price roughly 350 billion received, a part of Indonesia’s ultimate 600 billion received contribution. The whole package deal consists of the expertise switch price 174.2 billion received and 75.8 billion received for the event and testing knowledge.
Since reaching its maiden flight in Could 2023, the fifth prototype has been used to confirm key avionics efficiency, together with an energetic electronically scanned array radar, and to conduct aerial refueling assessments.
Some very nice KF-21 Twin Seater Prototype Air to Air images pic.twitter.com/2P6IEkBOxZ
— Fighterman_FFRC (@Fighterman_FFRC) February 19, 2025
Indonesia initially joined this system on the situation to satisfy about 20% of the KF-21 growth value. That determine got here to roughly 1.6 trillion received, however a collection of price range constraints and home financial circumstances induced it to delay funds, with studies of Jakarta searching for renegotiation of the phrases.
The Korean authorities subsequently lowered Indonesia’s contribution to 600 billion received and, following the evaluate, it was additionally contemplating “whether or not to switch a prototype from scratch,” KJAD added. Finally, out of the overall 600 billion received, Indonesia transferred 536 billion received and, as per the report, deliberate to pay the remaining 64 billion received by June.
KJAD mentioned on the time: “DAPA plans to finalize the timing of the switch of the prototype and growth knowledge as soon as full cost is confirmed. Individually from the worth switch course of, Korea is constant talks with Indonesia to export 16 KF-21 jets.” Indonesia has additionally now been subsequently reported to have paid the complete value of 600 billion received, transferring the remaining 64 billion received.
Okay, what’s subsequent? Mau diapakan prototipe KF-21 yang diserahkan ke Indonesia ini, tanpa adanya manufacturing line lokal? Sejauh apa Indonesia bisa memanfaatkan prototipe ini?
Penyakitnya selalu sama, berganti kepemimpinan, berganti juga kebijakannya. Komitmen kayanya sulit banget… pic.twitter.com/LGoM2Ulhic
— Feiferiz (@MightyWar3) June 28, 2026
KF-21 and Indonesia
In June 2025, the Indonesian Air Drive’s (TNI-AU) Col. Ferrel Rigonald and Polish Air Drive chief Maj. Gen. Iereneusz Nowak piloted the KF-21 Boramae for the primary time. The Gen. 4.5 jet is a part of Seoul’s and Jakarta’s 7.5 trillion Gained ($6.3 billion) 2014 collaboration, the place the latter had dedicated 20% of the event value.
Nevertheless, the joint program has witnessed monetary, industrial workshare and technological switch variations between the 2 international locations. In 2018 Indonesia sought to renegotiate its share of the fee, resuming the cost of its share in 2022.
Then, in 2024, two Indonesian engineers have been accused of trying to steal the plane’s technical knowledge in flash drives. A subsequent investigation by South Korea’s DAPA, the Nationwide Intelligence Service and the Protection Counterintelligence Command dominated out any labeled knowledge theft, successfully giving the Indonesian engineers a clear chit, the Herald Company reported.
🛩️🇰🇷🇮🇩 Indonesian Air Drive (TNI AU) take a look at pilot, Colonel Ferrel Rigonald @FRigonald61799, performed the maiden flight of the KF-21 prototype from the entrance cockpit, accompanied by KAI pilot Koh Hwi Seok within the rear cockpit. pic.twitter.com/t4Iia2cAJQ
— RANOSINT (@Ranosint) July 3, 2025
The publication added that Jakarta had reservations with the scope of expertise switch, technical ‘know-why’ and Mental Property (IP) rights. These points reportedly have been taken up informally on the diplomatic degree.
That is when KEDGlobal reported on Jun. 13, 2025, that DAPA agreed a “two-thirds” discount for Indonesia’s contribution to 600 billion received. This discount, KED World mentioned on the time quoting DAPA and Ministry of Nationwide Protection (MND) officers, was conditioned on “transferring much less expertise than earlier agreed” to Jakarta.
An settlement to that impact was signed throughout the Indo Defence Expo & Discussion board held in Jakarta. Because it now seems, the discount within the contribution quota has eradicated the whole industrial scope.
KAI 🇰🇷 CEO Cha Jae-byung introduced the imaginative and prescient “World KAI Past Aerospace”, with an intention of securing new orders for 2026. KAI focuses on reaching first profitable exports this yr, to international locations resembling Philippines 🇵🇭 for the KF-21. The contract is predicted earlier than mid-year 2026. pic.twitter.com/61GK1lb1zB
— Para Bellum (@ReHorizon3) March 15, 2026
The TNI-AU nonetheless nonetheless would have an efficient Gen. 4.5 and Gen. 5 fleet. It’ll quickly function a fleet of 42 Dassault Rafales, with the primary plane lately delivered, and has signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for 48 KAAN fighters.
The Turkish fighter is predicted to see important native meeting and manufacture rights. Indonesia has additionally deserted its plans to buy the F-15EX and has budgeted $9 billion for the Chinese language J-10C – a procurement but to materialize.
