A defense official from the Ministry of National Defense of Indonesia, a co-developer of the KF-21 project, visited Korea on the 4th to discuss the IF-X (the Indonesian name for the KF-21) project. This marks the first visit by Indonesian defense officials to Korea in six years since issues regarding unpaid contributions arose in 2018. Although the possibility of a breakup was mentioned due to concerns over technology leaks by Indonesian researchers and reduced development contributions, the atmosphere seems to have changed with the resumption of project discussions.
According to the defense industry, officials from relevant departments of the Ministry of National Defense of Indonesia, including the Director of the Technology Cooperation Bureau, conducted a project management review (PMR) meeting with officials of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the KF-21 project team from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) over two days starting from the 2nd at KAI's headquarters. PMR is a regular meeting procedure among practitioners during the joint development process. It is reported that Indonesia and DAPA discussed plans for IF-X production and the schedule for contribution payments.
This meeting was held as a follow-up to the signing of a revised basic agreement on the joint development of the KF-21 by DAPA Administrator Seok Jong-geon during the Defense Exhibition in Indonesia, Jakarta, on the 13th of last month. This agreement specifies the payment of contributions by Indonesia and the scope of cooperation between the two countries. KAI hopes to reach a conclusion on the follow-up consultations by next year.
The two countries signed a joint development contract for the KF-X (now KF-21) project to develop a next-generation fighter jet in 2015. Indonesia is set to invest 1.7338 trillion won, which is 20% of the total project cost (8.8 trillion won), by 2028, and is expected to produce 48 units locally after receiving one prototype and technology transfer. The dispatch of Indonesian technicians began in the second half of 2016. KAI is leading the development while Indonesian technicians are participating in a limited manner.
Last January, an Indonesian technician dispatched to KAI attempted to leak internal materials and was caught, leading to KAI solely handling the development. The KF-21 is currently in the flight test phase and is poised for mass production. The IF-X project is Indonesia's export business for the KF-21. The core goal is to upgrade the KF-21 to meet Indonesia's desired performance standards. Once the flight tests of the KF-21 are completed and the aircraft is operational, KAI and Indonesia are expected to begin the upgrade work.
Indonesia's recent visit to Korea is seen as a demonstration of its commitment to the joint development of the KF-21. There had been concerns that the joint project with Indonesia might be halted due to issues such as contribution payments. In particular, reports emerged that Indonesia decided to purchase 48 Turkish fighter jets known as KAAN, leading to speculation in the industry that Indonesia might have given up on the joint development. An industry insider noted, "Indonesia's visit to Korea signifies that they have sat down at the negotiating table."
The industry believes that Indonesia has not confirmed the purchase of Turkish fighter jets. The development speed of the Kaan fighter is reportedly slower than that of the KF-21. Earlier, Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding with France for the purchase of Rafale maritime fighter jets in 2023, but the purchase did not materialize.
An Indonesian Air Force pilot boarded the KF-21 prototype cockpit at Sacheon Airbase in Gyeongnam on the 27th of last month. The KF-21 prototype, which the Indonesian officials boarded, took off around 9:45 a.m., climbed to an altitude of about 20,000 feet (approximately 6096 m), and flew for about an hour. This was the first time an Indonesian pilot sat in the front seat during the flight.