South Korea is considering the transfer of one prototype of the KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft to Indonesia, according to a statement by lawmaker Kang Dae-sik. The proposal follows working-level discussions between Seoul and Jakarta in February, as the bilateral KF-21 development programme approaches its final phase after more than a decade of joint effort. The aircraft under consideration is a single-seat prototype drawn from South Korea’s six-flight-test KF-21 inventory. According to documentation submitted by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the platform has been employed in key verification activities, including aerial refuelling trials. Its transfer would provide Indonesia with a fully instrumented development aircraft rather than a production-standard unit. The proposed handover is valued at approximately KRW600 billion (USD398 million). This figure comprises an estimated KRW350 billion for the airframe itself, with the remainder covering associated research and development expenditures. The arrangement reflects Jakarta’s financial participation in the programme and aligns with revised cost-sharing terms agreed between the two countries.
The KF-21 programme, launched by South Korea in 2015, is scheduled for completion in June 2026. Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, the twin-engine multirole fighter is intended to serve as a domestically produced supersonic platform for the Republic of Korea Air Force, while also supporting export ambitions. Indonesia joined the programme as a junior partner, initially committing to fund approximately 20% of development costs in exchange for technology transfer and industrial participation. Indonesia subsequently renegotiated its financial obligations, proposing a reduced contribution in return for scaled-back technology transfer provisions. A revised agreement signed in mid-2025 formalised Jakarta’s contribution at KRW600 billion. In parallel, Seoul and Jakarta are understood to be in discussions regarding a potential export contract for 16 KF-21 aircraft. If concluded, the deal would represent the first international sale of South Korea’s indigenous fighter platform. The KF-21 Boramae features a semi-stealth design in its initial Block I and II configurations, incorporating externally mounted weapons and provisions for manned-unmanned teaming, with a fully stealth-capable Block III variant planned for future development.
The KAI KF-21 Boramae is a South Korean twin-engine fighter aircraft. The initial goal of the program was to develop an indigenous multirole fighter for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The airframe of Blocks I and II adopts semi-stealth technology with partially embedded external weapons and MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) capabilities, while full stealth—including internal weapons bays—is planned for the Block III or KF-21EX variant. As South Korea’s second domestic fighter jet development program following the FA-50 series,the KF-21 makes the nation the fourth in the world—joining the United States, China, and Russia—to produce an aircraft featuring stealth avionic architecture. In April 2021, the first prototype was completed and unveiled during a rollout ceremony at the headquarters of KAI at Sacheon Airport. It was named the Boramae. The first test flight was on 19 July 2022. The serial production started in July 2024. 40 Block I units are scheduled for delivery beginning in September 2026[21]; the ROKAF expects to complete additional 80 Block II units deployment by 2032. It will also be available for export. The ROKAF will initially begin replacing its F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II jets with KF-21s, which will eventually also replace the aging KF-16s and F-15Ks in service.
