South Korean Media Report Indonesia Agrees to Purchase 16 Boramae Fighter Jets

JAKARTA – Indonesia is reportedly working to reach an agreement to purchase 16 units of the supersonic KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. Local media outlet Donga reports that the purchase contract will be executed during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Seoul, South Korea, on 1 April 2026.

Prabowo is scheduled to hold a state meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. If the agreement is finalised, it will provide a boost of trillions of won to South Korea’s defence industry and could revive the momentum of the joint KF-21 development programme between the two countries.

Following Prabowo’s visit, French President Emmanuel Macron is also scheduled to make a state visit to Seoul. According to South Korean government sources on 13 March 2026, officials are working to reach an agreement on the purchase of these generation 4.5 fighter jets.

It is hoped that Presidents Lee and Prabowo will sign the contract for the purchase of 16 Boramae fighter jets during their meeting. Previously, they had signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire 48 fighter jets after the joint development programme is completed.

However, in recent years, Jakarta has adopted a cautious approach. This includes signing procurement agreements for Rafale fighter jets from France (three units have already arrived) and fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets from Turkey.

Indonesia is now believed to be considering an initial purchase of 16 jets from the planned 48. As a partner in the KF-21 programme, Indonesia initially agreed to contribute 1.6 trillion won, approximately Rp 18 trillion, to the project.

Subsequently, Indonesia reduced its contribution to 600 billion won, approximately Rp 6.8 trillion, stating it would receive a smaller technology transfer. This is in exchange for the lower financial commitment.