KAI completes delivery of 6 T-50i trainer jets to Indonesia

T-50i trainer aircraft in service with the Indonesian Air Force / Courtesy of KAI

South Korean defense firm Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Ltd. said Thursday it has completed the delivery of six additional T-50i advanced trainer jets to Indonesia.

KAI signed a contract to supply T-50i aircraft to the Indonesian Air Force in 2021 and began deliveries in February.

The aircraft manufacturer first inked a deal to supply 16 T-50 trainer jets to Indonesia in 2011, and has now delivered 22 aircraft.

Indonesia was the first overseas customer for the T-50i, the export variant of South Korea's first homegrown supersonic jet trainer.

The Southeast Asian country has acquired 42 South Korean-made aircraft, including 20 KT-1 trainer jets.

The two countries have expanded cooperation in the defense sector, with Indonesia taking part in a joint development project of South Korea's indigenous KF-21 fighter jet.