 |
| A model of one of several possible KFX designs |
By Jun Ji-hye
Korea's tentative deal with Indonesia to share the costs of the KF-X project, reached Sunday, bodes well for the nation's indigenous fighter program.
The signing is expected to ease concerns over the feasibility of the 8.5 trillion won project that were raised after Seoul failed to receive four core technologies related to the F-35 stealth fighter from Lockheed Martin in April.
However, the transfer of the remaining 21 technologies from the U.S. defense giant and the budget issue still remain major obstacles to completing the project on time. The project is aimed at building new fighter aircraft by 2025 to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s.
Whether or not Lockheed Martin will hand over all of the remaining technologies to Seoul is cited as the biggest matter now. Company officials visited the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) last week to discuss and check on the progress of the U.S. government's inspection of the transfer.
The transfer of 25 technologies, including the four, was included in the offset deal in return for Korea's purchase of 40 F-35s, which was signed in September last year.
Read the full story at Korea Times