KF-21 Fighter Jet Project Discussed Again, Indonesia to Send Team to South Korea

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the Indonesian government and South Korea discussed several strategic issues in a bilateral meeting, including the continuation of the KF-21 or IF-X fighter jet project.

Airlangga said that President Prabowo Subianto is committed to continuing discussions on the project by sending a technical team to South Korea.

“In the bilateral meeting, one of the issues raised was related to IF-X, and the President stated that a team will be sent soon, both technical and engineering,” Airlangga said in his statement, quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube on Thursday (2/4/2026).

Airlangga mentioned that there are still several technical issues being discussed, including specifications. The government is also opening options for new payment schemes.

“There are indeed technical issues related to specifications and others, but it is hoped that this will be resolved by sending the team there,” he continued.

The bilateral meeting also discussed trade issues. One of them is related to the halal certification of food and beverage products from South Korea.

Airlangga said that five institutions in South Korea have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH).

“So the halal issue is already clear with Korea,” he said.

The government is committed to providing equal treatment to South Korea, just like other partner countries.

“The hope is that what is given to other countries is also the same as what we give to Korea, and that is given on a level playing field,” Airlangga said.

These discussions are part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in the defence, trade, and investment sectors.