Many in Indonesia forums, media enthusiasts still hoping for KF-21 involvement. This based on what Jokowi's and Prabowo's talk in media on Indonesian continue involvement with KFX/KF-21. I
said talk is cheap. If there's really Political will to involve with this program, then they will not be talking on Rafale, F-15EX, Eurofighter or F-16V. They will go with more refurbished F-16 as stop gap, while poured money for Investment in DI capabilities and supporting infrastructure to prepare for that IFX manufacturing.
However there's no money going there. The dues hasn't been paid and there's no more Investment going to DI. I have talk to some colleagues from Ministry of SOE that say no more Investment for DI (asside money for N-219 and MALE UAV program). DI according to them should shown their capabilities for their existing projects executions, before expecting Government to inject any more money for them.
DI so far shown abysmal track record as commercial company. Habibie and follow up by Gus Dur in their administration era try to find Investors to inject money for DI. They can't get it, as no Investors want to enter money pit call IPTN/DI/IAe. Thus everything has to back to any Indonesian administration to fund it.
So when some in media or forums talk about DI or Indonesian Aerospace Industrial design, I always try to find out if the 'finance' people already prepared the money or not. If not, then all this talk from the so call Industry Expert is just that, cheap talk.
I'm no Defense Industry people, as I've mentioned many times. However I'm come from Finance Industry, and in the end like many Industries, the defense and strategic Industry plan will always depend on whether there're Financial resources that can back it up.
I have talk with people from many Industries that come from one financial institution to another, preparing proposals on what they're planning on their company. Defense Industry also will have to do that. They may be have the plan, the question is always can their proposals being bought by those who hold the money ?
So for those who still dream on KF-21 licensing/ Indonesian involvement, my suggestion is just check if there're money that come to:
1. Add Investment toward DI Fighter production facilities,
2. Paid the dues on Indonesian obligation in the KFX Projects.
If there's no movement in both area, then all this talk on DI engineer involvement in the project is just stay as cheap talk. Follow the money trail, if there's money trails that Indonesia will commit on this project, then you can dream on KFX production in Indonesia.
In real world, reality has to back up with money. That's why in real world money is the one that talk, not cheap talk.
Add:
In my recent posts I suggest to switch from KF-21 licensing toward FA-50 licensing. This based on smaller Investment needed, and giving closure to seems on going KFX Indonesian involvement dilemma. However that's also still a 'dream' since means additional Investment needed to DI, which as mentioned above got some reluctance from those who hold money.
Even putting TNI-AU chief in Board of PT. DI, I don't think will change much. As it's already been done from time to time.