Indonesia plans to buy 16 KF-21 Block II fighter jets following new talks with South Korea.

Indonesia is examining a revised framework to revive its participation in the KF-21 fighter program, centered on the potential acquisition of 16 KF-21 Block II fighter jets, following high-level discussions in Jakarta on January 7, 2026.

On January 8, 2026, Janes revealed that Indonesia is examining a revised procurement plan to revive its participation in the South Korean KF-21 fighter program, centered on the potential acquisition of 16 KF-21 Block II fighter jets. The proposal was reviewed during closed discussions at Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence in Jakarta on January 7, 2026, involving Indonesian officials, Korea Aerospace Industries, and PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
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With the KF-21 Block II, Indonesia would possess a variant more suited to its needs, as it will carry a broader spectrum of weapons beyond air-to-air missiles, including guided bombs, stand-off systems like MBDA’s Spear, and beyond-visual-range missiles such as Meteor. (Picture source: South Korean Air Force)

Indonesia is taking concrete steps to revive its long-stalled participation in the KF-21 fighter aircraft program by examining a revised framework centered on the acquisition of 16 KF-21 Block IIs following discussions in Jakarta on January 7, 2026. This purchase represents a recalibration of Indonesia’s earlier commitments, which had envisaged significantly larger numbers but became difficult to sustain due to repeated delays in cost-sharing payments. By narrowing the scope to a squadron-sized purchase, Jakarta appears to be prioritizing feasibility and near-term operability over scale. The renewed interest was reinforced symbolically by the display of a KF-21 model at Indo Defence 2025, signaling that Jakarta has not abandoned the program despite years of uncertainty.

The closed meeting was held on January 7, 2026, at Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence in Jakarta, where officials examined practical mechanisms to stabilize Indonesia’s position in the KF-21 program. The meeting was chaired by Indonesia's Air Commodore Jon Ginting, head of Programme and Evaluation at the Defence Logistics Agency, and brought together representatives from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Indonesia’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Discussions focused on the expectation that South Korea would extend an export credit facility through the Export-Import Bank of Korea, creating a financial structure capable of supporting both Indonesia’s remaining program obligations and the acquisition of new fighter jets. While specific figures were not disclosed, the mechanism under discussion is intended to link financing support directly to deliverable outcomes.

These discussions followed a proposal raised earlier by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during a private exchange with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in October 2025. In Jakarta, officials examined the idea that part of a South Korean export credit facility could be allocated directly to fund 16 Block II airframes, a number described as corresponding to a full operational squadron under Indonesian Air Force nomenclature. The same discussions acknowledged that part of any export credit facility could be allocated specifically to fund these airframes. However, there was no clarification on the size of the credit line, repayment terms, or the division between legacy obligations and new procurement, leaving key financial parameters unresolved at this stage.

Uncertainty also remains over how this revised plan would affect earlier arrangements that envisaged Indonesia procuring up to 48 KF-21s and holding a larger stake in the overall program. No indication was provided as to whether those earlier commitments would be formally amended, replaced, or left dormant while a smaller acquisition proceeds. This ambiguity has practical implications for long-term fleet planning, pilot training pipelines, maintenance infrastructure, and the scale of industrial participation that PT Dirgantara Indonesia might ultimately secure. For now, the emphasis appears to be on restoring credibility and continuity by aligning ambition with financing capacity, rather than committing to quantities that could reintroduce strain.

The KF-21 Boramae program itself is structured around a phased block development concept designed to progressively expand the aircraft’s mission set. The KF-21 Block I is oriented primarily toward air superiority, while the Block II will bring a broader multirole capability, with the integration of air-to-ground and air-to-ship weapons. The KF-21 Block III could be seen at the moment as a future stealth-oriented version, incorporating an internal weapons bay and deeper reductions in radar signature. The initial prototype of the KF-21 conducted its first flight on July 19, 2022, followed by the start of the KF-21's serial production in July 2024, while deliveries to the South Korean Air Force are scheduled to start in March 2026 under an initial order for 40 Block I aircraft, with additional Block II production planned to follow after the Block I configuration has matured.

The KF-21 Boramae, a twin-engine fighter with a maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.8 and a combat radius exceeding 1,000 km, is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400K turbofan engines, which are assembled locally in South Korea under license. The aircraft’s sensor suite is centered on a domestically developed active electronically scanned array radar, supported by an infrared search-and-track system and an integrated electronic warfare package. Armament integration for Block II is intended to include a broader range of air-to-ground and anti-ship weapons compared with the air-to-air focus of Block I, aligning with multirole operational requirements.

Beyond Block II, the program roadmap outlines a longer-term transition toward greater propulsion autonomy through an indigenous engine initiative. This effort, referred to as the Advanced Aviation Engine Development Project, is planned to run from 2027 to 2040 with funding cited at about $3.4 billion. The target performance includes around 16,000 lb of military thrust and approximately 24,000 lb with afterburner, exceeding the output of the F414 currently used. Under this plan, Block I and Block II aircraft would continue operating with the F414, while a future Block III configuration would be designed around the domestically developed engine. Block II readiness has been described as being targeted for early 2027, which aligns with Indonesia’s current focus on that variant as the most relevant option within a realistic procurement and financing timeline.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.