Indonesian Parliament Approves Initial Budget for KF-X

31 Oktober 2015

KFX fighter (image : reddit)

The Indonesian parliament has approved a first batch of funds totaling some 89 billion won to be invested in jointly developing a new South Korean fighter jet.

An official at the South Korean embassy in Jakarta said Saturday that the Indonesian parliament approved the funds for the project, dubbed the KF-X.

Following the latest budget approval, the two governments and the participating aerospace companies, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and PT Dirgantara Indonesia will begin negotiations to sign a project deal in early November in Jakarta.

Indonesia plans to cover one-point-seven trillion won or some 20 percent of the KF-X development cost. 

With the first batch of funds green-lighted, Seoul's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) believes Indonesia will approve the remaining budget in phases as well.

Under a basic agreement on the KF-X joint development signed last year, Indonesia will receive one trial fighter jet and design-related information. Its engineers will also take part in the project. (KBS World)

KF-X to Include Stealth Technology

The Agency for Defense Development has officially said that stealth technology is involved in South Korea’s domestic fighter jet project, dubbed the KF-X.

Agency President Chung Hong-yong made the remark at a plenary meeting of the National Assembly Defense Committee on Friday.

Asked about how advanced South Korea’s stealth technology is, Chung said he could not publicly disclose details but that stealth technology will go into the fighter jet.

He also said the United States rejected Seoul's request for a stealth technology transfer for the KF-X project, but South Korea has been developing the technology on its own since 1997.

Chung said South Korea’s stealth technology is considerably advanced in terms of design and materials, adding that discussions are under way on whether to apply what has already been developed. 

(KBSWorld)