Indonesia unlikely to sign KF-21 contract during Prabowo visit, but commitment remains
Published: 01 Apr. 2026, 20:09
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- CHO YONG-JUN
- [email protected]
![The KF-21 fighter jet at the launching ceremony on March 25 at the Korea Aerospace Industries headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/01/0fe64872-bd88-4965-bd0c-2319222bed24.jpg)
The KF-21 fighter jet at the launching ceremony on March 25 at the Korea Aerospace Industries headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
Indonesia is unlikely to sign a contract to purchase KF-21 jets during President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Seoul, although the Southeast Asian country — the sole foreign country involved in the program — is considering buying 16 of the homegrown 4.5-generation multirole fighters.
"Indonesia is positively reviewing the purchase of 16 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets, but a formal contract won't be concluded during the president's visit," a source with knowledge of the deal said, referring to Prabowo's three-day state visit that ends Thursday.
"Given external conditions like the Iran war, Indonesia is taking a measured stance on arms purchases. But the deal will surely be finalized this year," the source said.
The move, following 15 rocky years of joint development, welcomes the KF-21's first international customer but leaves more to be desired.
Indonesia's reduced research and development contribution of 600 billion won ($399 million) falls far short of the 1.6 trillion won that Jakarta initially pledged.
Since Jakarta decided to fund the KF-21 development program — then known as the KF-X — in 2010, promising to cover 20 percent of the massive 8 trillion won project, the country has missed payment deadlines.
While Jakarta repeatedly cited domestic budgetary constraints as the reason for delaying its KF-21 payments to Seoul, it simultaneously embarked on a mission to find alternative jet fighters elsewhere, led by then-Indonesian defense minister Prabowo. The Southeast nation instead headed to France in early January to sign an $8.1 billion deal to purchase 42 Rafale fighter jets, with the first three jets arriving in Indonesia earlier this year.
Indonesia also inked a deal with Turkey last year to purchase 48 Kaan fighter jets. Unlike the production-ready KF-21, the Kaan remains a work in progress, with a second prototype unveiled in February and test flights set for June.
Perhaps more concerning for Seoul is Indonesia's odd decision to forge close ties with Pyongyang.
Indonesia’s foreign minister paid a visit to North Korea in October last year to sign several MOUs, including ones on “technical collaborations.”
Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration claimed that KF-21 technologies were “thoroughly protected,” and no signs of collaboration between Jakarta and Pyongyang on defense have emerged. However, this hasn't stopped Koreans from worrying.
Despite this bumpy history, Indonesia stands as a key export client, as the partner country could set a positive track record for overseas exports.
"The company set a new order guideline of 10.4 trillion won for this year, with about 6.5 trillion won targeted for complete aircraft exports," said Lee Han-gyul, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities. "Major projects included in the order guidance include the first export contract for the KF-21."
"Beyond Indonesia, countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia also appear to be interested in the KF-21," the analyst said.
BY CHO YONG-JUN, PARK EUN-JEE [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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