Indonesian Pilot Flies South Korea’s KF-21 Fighter in First Test Flight

An Indonesian pilot has flown South Korea’s KF-21 fighter for the first time, putting the joint jet program back on track after years of stalled payments.

Colonel Pnb Ferrel Rigonald of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) occupied the front seat during a test flight of the KF-21 prototype on June 27, 2025, from Sacheon Air Base in South Korea. He was accompanied by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) test pilot Koh Hwi Seok in the rear seat.

KAI aims to evolve the KF-21 into a sixth-generation platform with manned-unmanned teaming and stealth capabilities. The jet is expected to enter service in 2026.

The flight lasted one hour and included maneuvers at an altitude of 20,000 feet. Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense, in a statement released July 3, said the mission ran smoothly and highlighted Indonesia’s direct role in the testing and development of the 4.5-generation fighter.

Officials said the flight marked both a transfer of technology and a symbol of strategic partnership under the KF-21/IF-X program, aligning with Indonesia’s goal of building a self-reliant defense industry.

Indonesia Signs Revised KF-21 Agreement

The test flight came weeks after South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reaffirmed its commitment to the joint fighter jet program during the Indo Defence exhibition in Jakarta on June 11–12.

DAPA Administrator Seok Jong-geon met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Deputy Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto to restructure cooperation following the resolution of issues related to Indonesian engineers.

A revised agreement was signed between Korea’s Fighter Program Office and Indonesia’s Directorate of Reserve Forces, reflecting Indonesia’s adjusted financial share. While the final figure was not disclosed, South Korean media earlier reported it had been reduced to 600 billion won ($437.8 million), down from the original 1.7 trillion won.

Indonesia had committed to cover 20 percent of KF-21 development costs in 2010 in exchange for one prototype and technology transfer. However, payment delays left Jakarta 500 billion won in arrears by 2020. In May 2024, Indonesia requested its share be cut to 7.5 percent, which South Korea approved in August.

Indonesia also proposed stretching its payments to 2034, although South Korea has not confirmed agreement to this timeline.

In July 2024, controversy emerged when some Indonesian engineers sent to South Korea were accused of attempting to steal KF-21 technical data. KAI said an internal review found no major issues, but investigations remain ongoing.

During the expo, KAI and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) reached consensus on joint production infrastructure, final assembly, and maintenance of the Indonesian IF-X variant.

Fighter Procurement Choices Expand

Indonesia’s renewed role in the KF-21 program follows a series of other fighter deals. On June 10, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced Indonesia’s agreement to purchase 48 KAAN fighter jets, to be produced in Turkey with Indonesian participation.

In May, Indonesia also signed a letter of intent with France for additional Rafale jets, building on a 2022 $8.1 billion contract for 42 aircraft and joint production.

Observers have raised concerns that overlapping commitments—KAAN, Rafale, and KF-21—could complicate Indonesia’s defense strategy and investment timelines.

Polish Air Force Chief Test-Flies South Korea’s KF-21 in Fighter Jet Evaluation

South Korea is also promoting the KF-21 to other markets. On June 26, Polish Air Force Commander Irenewsch Novak visited South Korea to inspect the FA-50PL production line and test-fly the KF-21. Poland is considering the aircraft as part of a plan to acquire 32 fighters to replace older Soviet-era jets.