The Indonesian government remains committed to supporting the sustainable development of the KFX/IFX fighter aircraft, which is now labeled KF-21 Boramae.
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In April 2021, the fighter jet, previously known as "KF-X fighter" was officially presented as “KF-21 Boramae" (Picture source: Cheong Wa Dae)
The KAI KF-X is a joint South Korean and Indonesian fighter aircraft development program with the goal of producing an advanced multirole fighter for the South Korean and Indonesian air forces. The program is lead by South Korea, which holds 60% of shares. Indonesia joined in 2010 for 20%, and the remainder is held by private partners including manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI).
"Indonesia remains committed to supporting the sustainability of the joint development program of fighter aircraft in collaboration with South Korea," said Deputy Minister of Defense, M Herindra, while attending the KFX/IFX Celebration Ceremony at Sacheon Air Base, South Korea, on September 28.
According to him, the successful flight test of the KF-21 Boramae is a tangible manifestation of the successful development of this fighter aircraft, and is a long-awaited development.
"Indonesia may be optimistic that one day the KF-21 Boramae will become part of the Indonesian air defense system," Herindra said in front of South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Minister Eom Dong Hwan.
The journey of this cooperation program is quite long, starting with the signing of a memorandum of interest by the two countries in 2009. Then in the process this cooperation also underwent renegotiation until finally it succeeded in reaching a more solid agreement in November 2021. Both parties have reformulated a mutual agreement.
"In 2022, this program is already at the Engineering Manufacture Development stage. This is the stage where several 'prototypes' of aircraft have been produced that are ready for flight testing," Herindra said in a press statement from the Ministry of Defense.
KAI KF-21 being assembled (Picture source: KAI)
He assessed that the fighter aircraft development program is one of the national programs that have strategic value for the Indonesian people because it aims to meet the needs of Indonesian Air Force fighter aircraft for the period 2025-2040.
Regarding the technology transfer process that has been mutually agreed upon, he hopes that it will run in line with the operational requirements of a weapons system to support Indonesia's ideals in developing and utilizing the national defense industry. In addition, this program is also beneficial for increasing the capacity of the human resources of the two countries.
Indonesia has sent 37 engineers and two Indonesian Air Force test pilots who are internationally certified to participate in activities in South Korea as part of the technology transfer process.
Indonesia is targeting to send 100 engineers who will rotate to participate in the program in South Korea. This program itself has been started since September 2021 and is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
