Indonesia expresses interest in Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet KAAN

Indonesia has indicated that it intends to join Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet program KAAN, raising questions about the future of its partnership with South Korea in developing the KF-21 Boramae jet.

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During a press conference in Ankara alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that Jakarta seeks to join Turkey’s National Combat Aircraft Initiative. “We want to participate in the KAAN fifth-generation national fighter aircraft project. Likewise, we want to join submarine projects. We wish to benefit from Turkey’s defense industry,” said Subianto.

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The statement comes at a sensitive time, as uncertainty grows around Indonesia’s commitment to the KF-21 program, developed in partnership with South Korea. South Korean officials have claimed that Indonesia has failed to meet its financial obligations within the project, causing diplomatic tension. There are also unconfirmed allegations that Indonesian technicians attempted to access sensitive project data without authorization in 2022, prompting legal investigations.

In an effort to ease tensions, the head of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Seok Jong-gun, met with Indonesian Vice Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto on March 24 in Jakarta. Although South Korea reduced Indonesia’s financial contribution from 1.6 trillion won (about $1.2 billion) to 600 billion won, the Indonesian government has yet to approve the updated terms, citing legal concerns.

The deadlock threatens the KF-21’s production timeline, with mass manufacturing expected to begin in 2026. Nevertheless, both nations have agreed to continue negotiations and explore new avenues of defense cooperation, including local production and joint military exhibitions.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s move toward the Turkish KAAN program signals not only a shift in strategic priorities but also a potential repositioning within the Indo-Pacific defense industry. Led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the KAAN program aims to replace outdated combat aircraft and strengthen Turkey’s autonomous defense capabilities.

During his visit, Subianto also highlighted the emerging geopolitical role of Ankara and Jakarta on the world stage. “As leaders of the Global South, we must take responsibility for shaping a new global order as strategic partners,” the Indonesian president said, underscoring the growing cooperation between the two countries.

Source: SavunmaSanayiST. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.