The joint development program of the KF-21 fighter jet between South Korea and Indonesia has gained new momentum with the unprecedented participation of an Indonesian pilot in a test flight of the aircraft.
Colonel Pnb Ferrel Rigonald of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) took the front seat of the KF-21 fighter prototype during a test flight conducted on June 27, 2025, from Sacheon Air Base in South Korea.
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In the rear seat was test pilot Koh Hwi Seok from Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI). Together, they performed maneuvers at an altitude of 20,000 feet during the approximately one-hour flight.
In a statement released on July 3, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense described the mission as a success, highlighting the country’s direct involvement in the testing and development of the 4.5-generation fighter jet.
According to authorities, the flight marks a significant milestone in the technology transfer between the two nations and symbolizes the consolidation of a strategic partnership in the KF-21/IF-X program. Indonesia aims to strengthen its defense industrial capabilities and achieve greater self-sufficiency in the military sector.
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KAI plans to evolve the KF-21 into a sixth-generation platform capable of integrated operations between manned and unmanned aircraft. The jet is expected to enter service in 2026.
Source and images: X @Kemhan_RI | kemhan.go.id. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
