Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto attended the rollout event for the Korean Fighter Experimental/Indonesian Fighter Experimental (KFX/IFX) in South Korea on Friday.
"Attending the invitation on the rollout of the Fighter Jet KF-X/ IF-X along with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and South Korean Defense Minister Y. M, Suh Wook," Subianto noted on his Instagram account.
The jet fighter named KF-21 Boramae has been built through collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea.
During a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Suh Wook, on Thursday (April 8), Subianto echoed Indonesia’s readiness to bolster bilateral military cooperation with South Korea.
Subianto affirmed that bilateral cooperation in the defense industry is projected to have a positive contribution not only for both nations but also for regional peace, security, and stability.
The minister believes vast opportunities exist in the area of defense cooperation to build mutual trust.
The project to develop the KFX/IFX jet fighter was delayed in 2009, and in January 7, 2016, both governments had inked a cost share agreement.
The project is segregated into the three stages of the development of technology or concept, development of prototype, and mass production. The jet fighter is targeted to commence operations in 2025.
KFX/IFX is a long-term project of Indonesia and South Korea worth US$8 billion. The project involves the state budgets of both nations.
Under the agreement, the South Korean government will bear 60 percent of the funding in the project, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) will bear 20 percent of the funding, and the rest 20 percent will be borne by the Indonesian government.
The project is targeted to manufacture 168 jet fighters, wherein 120 KFX will be built for South Korea and 48 IFX will be manufactured for Indonesia.
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