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| A model of the KFX Fighter (File Photo) |
By Prashanth Parameswaran
New agreements formalize investment and division of labor in plane’s development.
On January 7, South Korean aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) inked two key pacts with Indonesia to facilitate their joint development of a new fighter jet.
As I had reported previously for The Diplomat, Indonesia and South Korea have been looking to collaborate on the development of the new Korean Fighter Experimental (KFX) 4.5-generation aircraft since both countries first signed a letter of intent back in 2009. The first phase of the project – the technical phase – ended in 2014, and KAI was selected as the preferred developer of the KFX in March 2015.
In recent months, both sides have been trying to work out details that will govern the second phase of the KFX program: the engineering and manufacturing development phase (See: “South Korea, Indonesia Firms Ink New Defense Pact”). Movement has also been seen on several fronts. Last month, KAI signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), South Korea’s defense procurement agency. In addition, an important offset agreement was reached between the United States and South Korea to allow the transfer of key technologies for the project.
Read the full story at The Diplomat