REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The program to jointly manufacture a fighter jet continue to be negotiated between Indonesia and South Korea. Some time ago, the US$8 billion Korean Fighter Xperiment/Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KFX-IFX) fighter jet-manufacture project was reported to be entering engineering manufacture development (EMD).

However, according to the Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, the development of the project with joint financing by South Korea (80 per cent) and Indonesia (20 per cent), is constrained by the procurement of some components licensed by the US. Both countries have been trying to find a solution by turning to some European countries for the components, but no progress has reportedly made.

The cooperation to develop a 4.5 generation fighter jet has been on since 2016. The target is to produce the prototype of the fighter jet this year and to have it ready for launch by 2021, before receiving type certificate in 2026.

"We are negotiating continuously, to be decided soon," the minister told Antara in Jakarta on Friday.

The re-negotiations are needed to clarify the benefits of the program for Indonesia, as the country is planning to allocate $1.5 million from the state budget to finance research for the program.

The ministry's head of public communication, Brigradier General Totok Sugiharto, said the MoU between the two countries since 2012 had not yet been beneficial for Indonesia, especially after the intervention of the superpower country limited the research program.

In addition, some equipment intended for IFX was not provided to Indonesia although technology transfer and all equipment available in KFX can be made in Indonesia. "(The project) must be mutually beneficial for South Korea and Indonesia," he said.

Previously, the South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia, Kim Chang-beom, had asserted that the long-term defense project was progressing smoothly. He had claimed that both South Korea and Indonesia had close ties and willingness to continue working together for developing the stealth jet.

"As far as I know, the overall presentation went well and I have not heard of any official decision regarding the withdrawal of this ongoing project," the Ambassador had said.

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