JAKARTA – South Korean and Indonesian defense officials have solidified their commitment to the joint development of the KF-21 fighter jet, aiming to revitalize a project that has faced financial and logistical challenges.

Seok Jong-gun, South Korea's Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and Donny Ermawan Taufanto, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Defense, convened in Jakarta on Friday to discuss the future of the project and broader arms cooperation.

The meeting comes after South Korea's decision last year to significantly reduce Indonesia's financial contribution to the advanced supersonic fighter's development. Originally, Indonesia agreed to fund approximately 20 percent of the 8.1 trillion won (US$5.5 billion) program, launched in 2015, totaling 1.6 trillion won (US$1.1 billion). However, due to repeated payment delays, the contribution was adjusted to 600 billion won (US$409 million), with the project's completion targeted for 2026.

The collaborative effort, intended to provide Indonesia with technology transfers and a prototype model, had also been strained by allegations of technology leaks involving Indonesian engineers stationed in South Korea.

"This high-level meeting, the first since the investigation into the Indonesian engineers, served as an opportunity to normalize bilateral arms cooperation that had experienced some strain," stated Minister Seok. He expressed optimism that the talks would serve as a "momentum" to broaden defense cooperation with Indonesia.

Deputy Minister Taufanto acknowledged the competitiveness of South Korean defense equipment, including the KT-1 and T-50 aircraft, and affirmed Indonesia's dedication to fulfilling contractual obligations and maintaining strong cooperative ties in various defense sectors, according to DAPA.

The reaffirmation of commitment signals a renewed effort to ensure the successful completion of the KF-21 project and strengthen the defense partnership between the two nations.
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