Korea Aerospace, Indonesia sign deal on the KF-X

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation’s sole aircraft manufacturer, signed a contact with the Indonesian government for the Korea Fighter Experimental (KF-X), a program to develop the next-generation Korean fighter jet.

Under the deal, Indonesia’s defense ministry will be accountable for 20 percent of the total development process, which amounts to 1.6 trillion won ($1.3 billion), and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), a state-owned aerospace enterprise, will also take part.

Following a temporary contract signed last November, this contract kicks the KF-X program off. The Indonesian government will start by paying one percent of total expenses and then increase investment from next year. PTDI will send 100 workers a year to KAI to aid in designing systems for the fighter jet from May.

The deal grants Indonesia one prototype of the jet and related technical data.