Exports of the KF-21, Korea's homegrown next-generation fighter jet, are becoming more likely. Negotiations between Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Indonesia, a co-developer of the KF-21, are proceeding positively, and countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia are also showing interest. KAI is also considering boosting its production capacity.
According to the defense industry on the 27th, KAI has been continuing export talks with Indonesia since last year. It is said to be pursuing negotiations with the goal of signing a final export contract while Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visits Korea as a state guest at the end of this month.
Indonesia is a co-developing country of the KF-21. In 2010, Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which Indonesia would shoulder about 1.6 trillion won of the total 8.8 trillion won in development costs in return for the transfer of some technology and 48 units, including prototypes. If Indonesia finalizes its acquisition, it would effectively serve to directly prove the KF-21's performance and quality in the global defense market.
A defense industry official said, "If Indonesia does not introduce the KF-21, the logic that 'even a co-developing country didn't buy it, so it's a burden for us to be the first to introduce it' would work against us in negotiations with other countries," adding, "Conversely, if a procurement contract is signed, the KF-21 gains global scalability. That is why Indonesia is the most important to KAI."
The Philippines and Malaysia, which operate the FA-50 multirole fighter as their main fighter, are also cited as countries that could bring in the KF-21. According to foreign media, Malaysia is also currently in acquisition talks with KAI. In addition, discussions are underway with two Middle Eastern countries.
In the industry, there are calls for KAI to expand production capacity to boost exports and ensure on-time delivery. KAI must deliver 40 KF-21 Block I aircraft by 2028. Foreign-made air-to-air missiles are mounted on the KF-21 Block I. From 2027 to 2031, it will produce 80 KF-21 Block II aircraft configured to carry domestic air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles.
Fighter production is broadly divided into the initial phase of making parts, the phase of building structures such as the forward and aft fuselage, and the final assembly phase, in which the forward, center, and aft fuselage structures are joined into one to complete the aircraft's exterior and electronic equipment is installed.
It takes more than a year just to go from the initial phase to right before final assembly. The final assembly phase takes eight months. After that, it also takes several months or more for the produced model to undergo testing and evaluation and enter service.
It means it takes at least two years for a single fighter to be delivered to the military. Currently, there are four lines for final assembly inside the fixed-wing building at KAI's Sacheon headquarters in South Gyeongsang. Of these, two lines are for final assembly of the KF-21.
Inside and outside the military, some point out that if KF-21 exports expand, the current production line scale may make it difficult to handle both military orders and exports. An official with the military authorities explained, "Reliably processing order volumes to meet delivery deadlines is also a task for KAI."
KAI is pushing measures to increase production capacity. Even now it can accelerate up to 150% of its existing output, but it is also reviewing adding production lines to separate the T-50 advanced trainer and KF-21 lines. It is said to have already secured a site for a new plant.
KAI also expanded hangars for test flights last year in consideration of KF-21 delivery schedules and exports. A KAI official said, "Production volume is something we can adjust, so there will be no impact on delivery deadlines."