South Korea unveils prototype of KF-X fighter jet being developed with Indonesia despite uncertainty over project

South Korea and Indonesia agreed in 2014 to jointly develop the fighter in a project worth US$6.3 billion but Indonesia has since sought to renegotiate its contribution

The next-generation aircraft being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries is designed to be a cheaper, less stealthy alternative to the US-built F-35

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A prototype of the KF-21 Boramae fighter, South Korea’s next-generation fighter jet, on display in the southern city of Sacheon. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:23pm, 9 Apr 2021Updated: 6:31pm, 9 Apr 2021

South Korea on Friday unveiled the first prototype of the KF-X fighter jet it is developing with Indonesia, amid lingering uncertainty over the future of Jakarta’s role in the project.

The next-generation aircraft being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is designed to be a cheaper, less stealthy alternative to the US-built F-35, on which Seoul relies.

The plan is to eventually replace most of South Korea’s older fighter jets and produce more for export.

The display at the KAI headquarters in the southern city of Sacheon in a ceremony was attended by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and representatives from Indonesia, including Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. KAI plans to carry out ground testing this year, with first flights expected in 2022.

“The release of the prototype can be seen as a meaningful achievement of the development process in that it enters the stage of realising and evaluating the performance of fighters that have existed only as drawings,” South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said in a statement.

Moon said South Korea will have at least 40 of the new jets combat-ready by 2028, and 140 by 2032.