Indonesia orders 6 more T-50i Golden Eagle lead-in fighter trainers from South Korea

 

One of the TNI-AU's T-50i combat-capable lead-in fighter trainer aircraft. Photo c/o Aero Corner.



South Korean aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has confirmed on 20 July 2021 that it has been awarded a contract to supply and export another batch of T-50i lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT) to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MOD).

This would be the second order from Indonesia, after ordering 16 T-50i lead-in fighter trainers in 2011.

Six T-50i advanced jet trainers will be delivered to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) under a contract worth US$240 million.

The contract will start on 16 December 2021 upon release by the Indonesian MOD of the initial payment, and ending on 30 October 2024. KAI is expected to confirm the contract once it receives the initial payment for the Indonesian MOD.

The contract also includes a support and logistics package for aircraft operations for the new trainer jets.

The T-50i is the Indonesian variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle family of advanced trainers and light combat aircraft, which are also designed to have secondary combat roles and can be armed with bombs and short-range air-to-air missiles.

One of the TNI-AU's T-50i aircraft was involved in a deadly crash in 2015.

The T-50 Golden Eagle family are primarily used by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), and has been exported successfully to other countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, Iraq, and Thailand.




[1] Yonhap News Agency
[2] The Korea Herald
[3] Pulse - Maeil Business News Korea

Indonesia orders 6 more T-50i Golden Eagle lead-in fighter trainers from South Korea Indonesia orders 6 more T-50i Golden Eagle lead-in fighter trainers from South Korea Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on July 21, 2021 Rating: 5

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