The KAI KF-21 Boramae program is facing various issues after Indonesia has delayed payment to continue the construction project of this Gen 4.5 fighter aircraft. Development costs cost 8.1 trillion Won (~RM27.5 billion) with 20% supposed to be borne by Indonesia. But according to a Reuters report, Indonesia and South Korea have now agreed to continue their cooperation.
Indonesia has completed the outstanding payment at the end of last year. This twin-engine fighter was independently developed by South Korea to replace the aging Northrop F-5 Tiger and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). Initially this program used the name KAI KF-X before the name was changed to KF-21 Boramae in 2021.
The KF-21 Boramae still has the ability to be difficult to detect using radar but not as good as the F-35A since all weapons are carried outside the body of the aircraft. Although the project is financed by South Korea and Indonesia, these fighter planes will be exported to interested countries
The aircraft targets the ability to fly at a speed of Mach 1.83, an operational distance of up to 2900 km and a weapon load of up to 7700 kg. Two variants will be produced with block A having air combat capabilities and block B being able to attack ground targets.