As part of the joint program between South Korea and Indonesia to develop a next-generation fighter jet, a pilot from the Indonesian Air Force carried out the first test flight of the KAI KF-21 Boramae. The event, described as a milestone within the program, took place at the end of June and marked the first time that an Indonesian test pilot flew what is intended to be the future combat aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
According to photos of the event that went viral, the two-seat KF-21 aircraft, identified as the test prototype “004,” completed a one-hour flight, reaching a maximum altitude of 20,000 feet. It was piloted by Colonel Ferrel Rigonald, a test pilot with the Indonesian Air Force, with Koh Hwi Seok, a test pilot from Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), as co-pilot.
Indonesia and the KF-21 Boramae Program: a path full of twists, turns, and mixed signals
Over the years, the development of the South Korean KF-21 Boramae fighter has been marked by various tensions, especially regarding Indonesia’s participation as a partner in the program. The bilateral agreement, signed in 2016, stipulated that Jakarta would contribute approximately USD 958 million, equivalent to 20% of the total project cost, in exchange for technology transfer, assistance in producing 48 aircraft, and a prototype for evaluation. However, that commitment did not translate into consistent payments or compliance with the agreed schedules.
Starting in 2019, a series of financial and economic issues led Indonesia to halt its payments until late 2022. That year, the country resumed funding with a payment of USD 6.3 million to cover program-related costs. However, in 2023, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reported that the Southeast Asian country had not submitted a payment plan to continue its participation in the KAI KF-21 Boramae Program, while it also evaluated alternative acquisition options such as the U.S. F-15EX or the French Rafale. This scenario reinforced the perception that the Indonesian government intended to renegotiate the original terms of the agreement.
By 2024, the Indonesian company involved submitted a proposal to reduce its share of the cost from 20% to a total payment of 600 billion won (USD 442.3 million). In this context, the proposed reduction would entail a lower level of technology transfer from South Korea to Indonesian firms. However, although DAPA stated in May 2024 that it would be willing to accept the reduction without delaying the program, no favorable resolution has yet been reached for the Southeast Asian country.
In the following months, the program made further headlines. In March, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to the joint development of the future fighter aircraft during a meeting between representatives of both countries. Then in June, the Indonesian government agreed to a new reduction in its contribution, setting its financial commitment at approximately USD 437 million—less than half of the amount originally pledged when joining the program in 2016. Notably, this decision came around the same time as agreements signed with Turkey to advance the potential acquisition of up to 48 new TAI KAAN fighters, currently under development and flight testing.
The current status of the KF-21: test flight progress and the start of production for the first batches of combat aircraft
Meanwhile, in parallel with the Indonesian Air Force pilot’s flight, a Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) representative recently confirmed that the sixth KF-21 prototype underwent a series of complex automatic correction and radar integration tests last month. These included air-to-air launch tests and separation trials for the K-ALCM cruise missile, which will be equipped on the future aircraft. It is worth noting that this sixth unit serves as the core platform for testing KAI’s advanced electronic warfare systems. Each prototype is assigned different verification projects to accelerate overall development.
Lastly, KAI estimates that it will complete development of the KF-21 Block I variant by early 2026, quickly moving on to begin production of the improved Block II variant, scheduled for 2028. According to official company figures, the Block I flight testing program has already surpassed 1,300 flights, representing approximately 70% of the planned tests.
In terms of acquisition, the Republic of Korea Air Force plans to procure 120 KF-21 Boramae fighters, divided into 40 Block I jets—to be delivered between 2026 and 2028—and 80 Block II jets, with deliveries extending through 2032. This timeline reaffirms the continuity of the program and the gradual transition between both variants, aligning with the latest review by South Korean authorities.
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