KF 21 expected development cost is even now slashed further as Indonesia as 20 % partner only need to contribute financially at 1.35 billion USD, previous cost for Indonesia is 1.8 billion USD. Beside total reduction of expected development cost, It also means KF21/IFX program managers seems quite confident to offer plane at 65-75 million USD per plane, much affordable than Rafale and Eurofighter. Just compare Rafale and Eurofighter development cost with expected KF21/IFX program development cost.
Recent renegotiation also show increase of Indonesia components, particularly for fuselage as 50 % of wings and tails for all KF21 will be supplied by Indonesia as sole supplier of fuselage component of the plane outside Korea. This could be also make the total cost is decreasing, but we need to see whether the program would be a success and can complete its development in 2026 inshaAllah.
With stealth wingman drone capability, it can give more damage if the mission is bombing. Until now, it is not clear whether the wingman capability can turn to have AA missile as well.
This is why the BD strategy could be focusing more on other thing (Navy, Army, SAM system, trainer aircraft, LCA etc) until 2026 before making KF 21 as their bulk MRCA fighters. It is cost effective as Myanmar is likely to get China Stealth MRCA and India is now getting serious in their AMCA program and will roll out the plane in 2026 based on their recent plan. Both India and Myanmar will not likely to create any future conflict on BD for the next 20 years, particularly by seeing USA and European nations will be still quite strong until 2035 and will impose sanction to any aggressor and oil, gas, coal are still quite strategic commodities where Islamic nations are still the main suppliers of those commodities in which Indian economy still depend alot on it.
The year 2040 forward is the period where I see quite challenging for BD and India will have more influence due to its economic and military power, not mentioning if they can reduce the significant of fossil fuel contribution on their economy thus will be in much stronger position if Muslim nations impose embargo on India if they attack BD ( something that I dont see within India interest, but I want to think like many BD members here seeing India as possible threat) . And China raise and its close relationship with Myanmar, and possible Myanmar rapid development in 2030-2040 if they can get rid the military ruling where I expect could happen in 2027-2030
eurasiantimes.com
