Indonesia and South Korea agree to continue KFX /IFX fighter development

Indonesian and South Korean defence ministries have signed an agreement to continue the joint development of the Korean Fighter Experimental, Indonesian Fighter Experimental - Ed (KFX / IFX) aircraft.

Equipped with 4.5th generation technology, KFX / IFX would be a multi-role combat aircraft featuring more advanced capabilities than the Lockheed Martin-built F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

The KF-X / IF-X development cooperation programme is being undertaken in three phases, including the technology development (TD), engineering and manufacturing development (EMD), as well as the production development (PD) phase.

Having completed the TD phase in December 2012, the two ministries signed the project agreement, which contains general principles and rules, as well as the commitment of the parties during the EMD phase.

Under the terms of agreement, South Korea will designate the Korean industrial main contractor, which will negotiate a related cost-sharing agreement with the Indonesian defence ministry and the related workshare agreement with Industri Indonesia (PT. DI).

The two sides have also agreed to establish a joint programme management office (JPMO) to assist implementation. This will include overseeing the Korean industrial participant, the Indonesian industrial participant and the budgeting and spending / contracting competence.

All of the expected agreements, including details of the task of JPMO, are scheduled to be signed before the planned start of the EMD phase by the end of November 2015.

Meanwhile, South Korea would conduct flight tests of six aircraft at home. One prototype would be handed over to Indonesia for final assembly, test and evaluation.

Indonesia will be actively involved in the production process of first and sixth aircraft throughout the flight test programme. It has also agreed to establish the final assembly production line and build the aircraft at its own expense.

Following completion of the entire flight testing programme, South Korea will submit one KF-X / IF-X prototype aircraft, with some engineering and test pilot input.

Seoul and Indonesia would undertake 80% and 20% of the workshare respectively, and have also agreed to jointly decide funding for the EMD phase contract.

  ★ airforce-technology