Indonesia orders six more KAI T-50 advanced trainer jets

Indonesia orders KAI T50 trainers
Indonesian Air Force T-50i advanced trainer jet.

Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), South Korea's only aircraft manufacturer, said on Tuesday it has signed a $ 240 million deal to supply advanced trainer jets to Indonesia.

The agreement provides for the supply of six T-50i advanced trainer jets to the Indonesian Air Force (IAF) from December 16, 2021 to October 30, 2024, the company said in a regulatory filing. However, the delivery period is subject to the date of receipt of the first payment by KAI.

The new deal will bring the IAF T-50i fleet to 20 aircraft, of which 16 acquired in 2012 to replace its old BAE Systems Hawk 53 trainers dating back to the 1980s.

The T-50i jets were originally delivered to the IAF without any radar or weaponry, Jakarta then signed a contract with KAI in 2018 to integrate radar and 20mm guns into the aircraft, with work expected to be completed later this year.

The IAF is likely to use the new aircraft to progressively replace its fleet of BAE Hawk 109/209 trainers and light attack aircraft, which have been in service since the 1990s.

The T-50 is Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft developed by KAI for the Republic of Korea Air Force. It is designed to provide training to pilots and to engage in light combat missions. The aircraft enjoyed good sales abroad as well, its customers include Thailand, the Philippines, Iraq and Indonesia.

Written by Matteo Sanzani
Image: KAI

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