Indonesia Ready to Receive KF-21 Boramae Fighter Jet Prototype

Indonesia is preparing to receive a prototype unit of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet from South Korea after completing its financial contribution obligations in the joint development project for the new-generation fighter aircraft. Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea, Cecep Herawan, stated that the joint development of the KF-21, which has lasted over a decade, officially concluded in June 2026. One outcome of the agreement between the two countries is the handover of one prototype from the six KF-21 aircraft that have been produced. “A prototype from the six KF-21 aircraft has been agreed upon and will be handed over to Indonesia, one prototype out of the six. Hopefully, this can be realised in the near future,” Cecep said at the Indonesian Next-Generation Journalist Network event hosted by the Korea Foundation and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday (10/6/2026). According to Cecep, the joint development phase is complete, and discussions will next focus on utilising the project’s outcomes, including various options for continued cooperation. “As for the future, we certainly leave it to the decision-makers in Indonesia,” he continued. Cecep assessed that Indonesia is one of South Korea’s strategic partners in the defence industry sector. Bilateral cooperation in this field has lasted for decades, with Indonesia recorded as the first customer for various South Korean defence industry products since 1979. In 2003, Indonesia purchased the KT-1 Woongbi trainer aircraft, now used by the Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team. Then in 2011, Indonesia also acquired aircraft known as the Mini F-16. Defence cooperation between the two countries continued in 2017 through a submarine construction project. Beyond procurement of primary weaponry systems, Cecep emphasised that technology transfer and human resource development are important values in the Indonesia-South Korea defence partnership. “Korea indeed learned its defence industry from America. And we learn the defence industry that Korea learned from America, from Korea. And there are many off-the-record matters that our Korean friends convey to us on how to acquire technology properly and in a less sensitive manner,” Cecep said. On a separate occasion, the Chairman of the South Korea-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Association, Kim Gi-Hyeon, assessed that South Korea’s defence industry is currently among the most technologically advanced in the world with relatively competitive costs. He noted that various South Korean weapons systems have demonstrated good performance in several international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran-Israel tensions. “I believe it will be highly beneficial for Indonesia to strengthen cooperation with Korea. South Korea not only provides technology transfer, but also participates in developing and training human resources to operate and manage these systems,” Kim said. Indonesia and South Korea previously agreed on the handover of a single-seat KF-21 prototype used for various verification tests, including in-flight refuelling. The handover package is valued at approximately 600 billion South Korean won, encompassing the fighter jet valued at 350 billion won as well as various other development cost components.