Su-57 Influence? Indonesia Drops Joint Production of Korean KF-21 Fighter, Mulls Direct Purchase

The Indonesian MoD has announced plans to give up joint production of the KF-21 fighter jet but instead buy a certain quantities of the aircraft directly from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

The head of Indonesia's Defense Logistics Agency, TNI Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, was quoted as saying on June 26, "Indonesia will not carry out joint production of the KF-21, but will instead buy it directly from Korea."

The sudden shift of a policy that was in place for over a decade could be prompted by Indonesia purchase of 40 French Rafale jets whose delivery has already commenced. The current KF-21 has similar specs as the Rafale with future version, the KF-21EX expected to come with an internal weapons bay and possible stealth features.

Originally, Indonesia joined the KF-21 (KF-X program) with a 20 percent participation commitment worth about US$1.2 billion, hoping to gain access to  aerospace technology, joint production rights and the transfer of prototypes of the fighter aircraft.

A later agreement reduced Indonesia’s financial commitment to US$600 million in exchange for a prototype aircraft and technical knowhow to build the jets in Indonesia.

However the delay in the program (from Indonesia’s side) made it look to the Rafale as the future mainstay of its air force.

Enter the Su-57

Meanwhile the Russian Su-57 began making a strong case for itself as a fifth generation fighter, giving strong competition to the US-F-35 and F-22, its continued usage in the Ukrainian war allow it to accumulate real combat experience and visibility at various air shows providing it global exposure.

In addition, Russia’s offer of technology transfer and joint production may have helped Jakarta to consider building a fifth generation fighter rather a fourth generation one.

An important consideration could be the cost. The Su-57 is rumoured to cost close to or less than the Korean KF-21 aided by Russian-Indonesian trade in mutual currencies.