Based on indicators, the South Korean KF-21 Boramae will be chosen over the Dassault Rafale by Jakarta as the unit test draws interest. Since the first flight of the 5th or 4.5 generation, according to some, the plane seems to be enticing to the export markets from July this year.
Korean KF-21 Boramae Fifth Generation Fighter
The Chinese J-20 stealth fighter is the benchmark for non-western 5th-generation fighters. Compared to the Korean fighter with a less powerful engine and limited flight performance, another advantage is the lesser maintenance to keep it flying with a lesser budget, reported Military Watch Magazine.
Air Forces with less money to spend will find it easier to maintain compared to the more expensive Dassault Rafale and F-18 A/E or Eurofighter.
Even though the KF-21 has been at first sought as a joint program with both South Korea and Indonesia, the latter's lack of installments or ability to contribute over the last five years raised concerns regarding its pledge, states SCMP.
Jakarta appears to have been primarily persuaded by the initiative's rapid advancement; as a result, Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Muhammad Herindra reaffirmed his country's commitment to the program in the latter part of September, demonstrating that the fighter may be of strategic importance.
By the close of the year, he envisioned, the percentage of Indonesian engineers who work on the initiative might triple.
Sources had confirmed in the first week of October, Indonesia will give $6 million as arrears incurred for the KF-21 Boramae program. In 2023, an expected 33 million will be paid too.
Advantages of the KF-21 Over the Rafale
However, this reflected under 10 percent of the 800 billion won racked up in Jakarta's arrears to Seoul in the KF-21 program. This is nonetheless a perceived satisfaction.
Jakarta intended to contribute 20% of the costs to developing the jet as a minor partner, but there have been numerous delays since 2017.
In February, it showed interest in buying 42 Rafale 4.5 generation jets to add to its aging squadron of fighters. But backtracking to the KF-21 project would halt the defense deal with Dassault; it proved to be more expensive than the South Korean jet with lower cost maintenance, per France24.
Compared to the Boramae, the Rafale is 4.5 generations older because it was first employed during the Cold War in 1986. It has some shortcomings and is already 36 years old. The French fighter cannot mount the Taurus cruise missile due to its engines' reduced thrust and lack of stealth designs.
While they can both engage in aerial combat using Meteor air-to-air missiles, that is the only similarity between them; in contrast to the more recent Korean offering, nothing else about their avionics is more advanced.
A shared strategic partnership with Seoul and Jakarta, since the country has bought Korean T-50 trainers already modified for combat use.
Due to the prior sale of jet trainers, choosing to acquire the Boramae is expected to be a logical outcome. The relationship as a partner in the program also assures Jakarta's future operator status.
After serious consideration, Indonesia is leaning toward the South Korean KF-21 Boramae as an alternative buy over the more expensive maintained Dassault Rafael.
