South Korea Prepares Options for Submitting KF-21 Prototypes to Indonesia

South Korea and Indonesia are said to have reached a preliminary understanding on the delivery of one KF-21 fighter jet prototype to Jakarta. This plan comes as the joint development project for the fighter plane approaches completion in June.

Citing a Kyodo News report, Tuesday, April 7, the understanding was discussed in working-level talks in February. The prototype in question is the KF-21 single-seat that was previously used for verification tests, including refueling in the air.

This information was conveyed by South Korea's main opposition lawmaker, Kang Dae-sik, by referring to documents from the local defense procurement agency. The value of the delivery is estimated to reach 600 billion won or about US$398 million. The amount includes the value of the aircraft of around 350 billion won and other development costs.

The KF-21 project itself has been running for more than a decade. South Korea started it in 2015 to develop a domestically produced supersonic fighter jet. Indonesia then joined as a partner with a cost-sharing development scheme, in return for technology transfer, one prototype, and other conditions.

However, the handover has not been automatically carried out. According to the Kyodo News report, South Korea's defense procurement agency, DAPA, will only decide on the schedule for the delivery of the prototype and related technology documents after Indonesia pays its contribution of 600 billion won for the joint project.

Indonesia originally agreed to bear around 20 percent of the project costs as a partner country. Later, Indonesia proposed a reduction in contributions with the consequence of reducing the level of technology transfer. The final agreement on the change was signed in June last year.

At the same time, Seoul is also reportedly in discussions with Indonesia to sign an export agreement for 16 units of the KF-21. If realized, the move will be the first overseas sale for the South Korean-made fighter jet.

For Indonesia, this is not just about one prototype. There is continued cooperation, there is technology transfer, and there is the opportunity to purchase the next jet.