South Korea, Indonesia Revive KF-21 Jet Partnership at Indo Defence

Revised deal signed amid renewed talks on joint fighter development despite Indonesia-Turkey KAAN jet agreement
  • Defensemirror.com bureau
  • 09:08 AM, June 13, 2025
  • 5928
South Korea, Indonesia Revive KF-21 Jet Partnership at Indo Defence
KF-21 Boramae fighter

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has reaffirmed its defense industry partnership with Indonesia, announcing the signing of a revised agreement on the joint KF-21 fighter jet program during the Indo Defence exhibition in Jakarta.

The event, held from June 11 to 12, saw the participation of over 1,000 defense companies from 80 countries, including Korean firms like Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), LIG Nex1, and Poongsan.

DAPA Administrator Seok Jong-geon met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Deputy Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto to reorganize cooperation on the KF-21 Boramae fighter program, citing the recent resolution of issues related to Indonesian engineers as a key turning point.

The two sides agreed to expedite the joint development, with both governments pledging to extend cooperation beyond fighter aircraft into ground and maritime defense systems.

A revised Project Agreement on Joint Development was signed between the Korean Fighter Program Office and Indonesia’s Directorate of Reserve Forces. The document reflects Indonesia’s adjusted financial share, as decided by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee in August last year.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense stated it has begun administrative procedures to settle the outstanding financial contributions toward the KF-21 program. If completed, this could restore momentum to the stalled partnership.

The discussions also included the future mass production of the Indonesian fighter variant, IF-X. Korea Aerospace Industries and Indonesia’s PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) reached a consensus to strengthen cooperation on production infrastructure, final assembly, and maintenance operations.

DAPA’s minister met separately with Indonesian Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Tedi Rizalihadi to discuss the KF-21's development progress and role in bolstering the Indonesian Air Force’s capabilities.

Meanwhile, on June 10, Turkey announced that Indonesia had agreed to purchase 48 of its upcoming KAAN fighter jets. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the jets would be produced in Turkey with Indonesian involvement in local manufacturing.

Observers had earlier warned that Turkey’s KAAN deal could disrupt Indonesia’s KF-21 plans. In May, Jakarta also signed a letter of intent with France for more Rafale jets—adding to an $8.1 billion 2022 deal that included 42 Rafales and joint production agreements.

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