First Export of Korean Fighter KF-21 Confirmed, 16 Units to Indonesia

20 Maret 2026

Contract will sign during President Prabowo Subianto make a state visit to South Korea on Maret, 31 to April, 20 2026 (photo: DAPA)

The Korean fighter jet KF-21 is being exported for the first time. This comes 11 years after development began in 2015, and the first export destination is Indonesia.

On the 19th, a government official stated, "Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will make a state visit to Korea on the 1st of next month, visit Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and sign an export contract for the KF-21," adding, "We plan to sign an implementation contract during the first half of the year after coordinating the final agreement amount." Indonesia initially intended to acquire 48 KF-21 fighter jets. However, due to budget constraints, the plan is to initially acquire 16 units.

The South Korean government and Indonesia are currently coordinating final negotiations regarding technology transfer and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul). Both countries plan to sign a contract within the first half of the year. The Indonesian side is reportedly planning to hold the implementation contract signing ceremony locally.

Starting with exports to Indonesia, KAI anticipates exports not only to Southeast Asia but also to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE pursue the modernization of their air forces, there is a steady demand for next-generation fighter jets. The KF-21 is considered to have an advantage in securing orders due to its price competitiveness and flexibility in technology transfer compared to U.S. and European models.

"A government official said, 'When the first mass-produced KF-21 for our Air Force is rolled out on the 25th of this month, all of our Air Force's aging fighter jets will be replaced,' adding, 'It appears that we will be able to achieve the feat of exporting the KF-21 in line with the mass production of domestic fighter jets.'"

Meanwhile, South Korea's defense industry exports are expected to expand further in conjunction with changes in the international security environment. Poland also signed a comprehensive defense export contract worth $44.2 billion (approximately 63 trillion won) with the South Korean government in 2022. Since then, it has been sequentially proceeding with the first phase of export implementation contracts worth $12.32 billion (180 K2 tanks, 212 K9 self-propelled howitzers, and 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft).

(Asiae)

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