Indonesia, S.Korea to jointly manufacture fighter jet

Indonesia and South Korea have agreed to jointly produce KFX/IFX fighter jets, Seoul's next generation fighter jet.

Indonesian Defense Ministry and Korea Aerospace Industry (KAI) on Thursday signed Cost Share Agreement or CSA at the ministry.

Work Assignment Agreement (WAA) between Indonesian aircraft maker, PT Dirgantara Indonesia or PT DI, and the KAI were also inked.

With the signings, both sides would conduct engineering and manufacturing work to produce six prototypes, said Andi Alisjahbana, director of technology and development of PT DI after the singing of the deals.

"The total investment for six jet fighters is about 8 billion U. S. dollars," said Alisjahbana.

Of the total cost, Indonesia will spend about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said.

"The signings are a concrete effort of the Indonesian government in developing fighter jet."

On the same occasion, South Korea Defense Minister Chang Myoungjin said that the program of IFX/KFX fighter jet production is the biggest ever weaponry development being undertaken by his country.

"The KFX/IFX project is the biggest ever projects we have done so far," he said.

Indonesia will get one prototype plane and gain access to some technical information and data about the project, Ryacudu said, adding that the KFX/IFX fighter jets will be the newest generation made by South Korea.