RI Ambassador says costs for KF-21 prototype fully paid, ready for delivery

Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Cecep Herawan has stated that Indonesia has settled its contribution payments for the prototype project of the South Korean-made KF-21 Boramae fighter jet and it is ready to be handed over to Indonesia. “It has been agreed that one of the six KF-21 aircraft prototypes will be transferred to Indonesia. Hopefully, this can be realised in the near future,” he said at the ‘Indonesian Next-Generation Journalist Network’ event held by the Korea Foundation and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday. Ambassador Cecep noted that the joint development of the KF-21 was completed in June after more than a decade. Going forward, the Indonesian Embassy will discuss the continuation of the KF-21 process, particularly regarding the utilisation of production outcomes. “As for the future, we naturally leave it to the decision-makers in Indonesia,” he added. The diplomat stated that for Korea, Indonesia is one of its most important partners in the defence industry sector. He noted that since 1979, Indonesia has been a first customer for Korean defence products. 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 procured the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer. In 2017, the two countries also extended cooperation to submarine construction. Ambassador Cecep further emphasised that knowledge transfer is a vital component, contributing to human resource development in the defence industry. “Korea indeed learned its defence industry from America. And we are learning the defence industry that Korea learned from America. Many things, off the record, were shared by our Korean friends on how to acquire technology properly and in a less sensitive manner,” said Cecep. Separately, the Chairman of the South Korea-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Association, Kim Gi-Hyeon, conveyed that South Korea’s defence industry possesses some of the most technologically advanced weaponry in the world while remaining cost-effective. The performance of South Korean military equipment has been proven excellent, including fighter jets and missiles involved in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Iran-Israel conflict, and various other situations. “I believe it would be very beneficial for Indonesia to strengthen cooperation with Korea. South Korea not only provides technology transfer but also develops and trains human resources to operate and manage these systems,” he said. Indonesia and South Korea have agreed on the transfer of a single-seat KF-21 prototype used for verification tests, such as aerial refuelling. The handover, valued at approximately 600 billion won, includes the fighter jet worth 350 billion won along with other development costs.