Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is intensifying its expansion into the Southeast Asian market by participating in the "Indo Defense 2024" defense exhibition held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from June 11 to 14.
Indo Defense has been the largest aviation and maritime-themed defense exhibition in Indonesia since 2004, held biennially. It was moved to June from the initially scheduled November due to political schedule changes. The exhibition featured over 1,000 companies worldwide, and KAI showcased its leading fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, including the KF-21, FA-50, KUH, and LAH.
A special "Korea-Indonesia Joint Production Zone" presented the T-50i, already in use by Indonesia, and the IF-X, a next-generation fighter jet under joint development. KAI highlighted the potential of the IF-X as a future core asset for the Indonesian Air Force, emphasizing the tangible outcomes of their collaborative development.
In addition, KAI introduced future air combat systems, integrating unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and multi-purpose unmanned aircraft (AAPs) with the KF-21 and FA-50. The exhibition also featured next-generation air combat systems (NACS) that use low-earth orbit satellite communications. The KUH and LAH were demonstrated with a MUM-T system that deploys Air-Launched Effects (ALEs) capable of manned-unmanned teaming operations, drawing considerable interest.
During the exhibition, KAI signed a strategic partnership with Indonesia’s state-owned aerospace company PTDI, expanding their collaboration to include mass production, beyond joint development. They aim to enhance local production and maintenance capabilities in Indonesia, building on their existing cooperation to promote IF-X production.
Moreover, KAI and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration engaged in discussions with Indonesia’s Defense Minister, Prabowo Subianto, to explore expanded defense collaboration between the two countries. The minister expressed a desire for continued technical cooperation with Korea, showing interest in upgrading and extending the service life of KT-1B and T-50i, and possibly acquiring additional units.
Indonesia currently operates 42 Korean aircraft (20 KT-1Bs and 22 T-50is). Across Southeast Asia, over 100 Korean aircraft are in operation or slated for delivery, in countries including the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Recently, KAI broadened its export focus beyond aircraft sales by signing a Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) contract with the Philippines in December and a lifespan extension contract for the KT-1B with Indonesia in March.
KAI's President, Kang Goo-young, stated, "This exhibition was a crucial opportunity to reaffirm the Indonesian government's trust and commitment to the KF-21 joint development project. We plan to build upon the trust established with the KT-1B and T-50i projects and advance toward IF-X production and future collaborations."
