Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Recently, the news about the split in the partnership between Indonesia and South Korea (South Korea) about fighter jets has returned. This is because Indonesia is considered by South Korea to be just playing around and not paying off its financing obligations for this brand-new fighter.
Reported Korea Joongang, the development project for the Korea Fighter eXperimental (KF-X / IF-X), the first fighter jet to be assembled by South Korea, has cost trillions of won. In fact, the project was called the most expensive military project in the country’s history.
The total development costs are estimated at around 8.5 trillion won ($ 7.8 billion), of which 1.6 trillion won, or 20%, is to be paid by Indonesia under a joint partnership contract between the two countries signed in 2016.
Seeing the very expensive development costs, then what about the specifications?
From the data collected CNBC Indonesia, The KF-X can fly at a fast maximum speed of up to Mach 1.81. The aircraft, which is nearly 17 meters long, can be operated with a single crew.
Meanwhile, regarding weaponry, this aircraft is capable of carrying 10 mixed explosive missiles Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground. With this kind of capability, the KF-X is often juxtaposed with other reliable stealth fighters such as the F-35, J-31, and Mikhoyan LMFS.
Seeing the specifications, the aircraft, which will still be operational in 2026, is estimated to be priced at US $ 50 million (Rp. 700 billion) to US $ 60 million (Rp. 840 billion).
The price above is only an estimate, because there is no official announcement yet. The South Korean (South Korean) aircraft manufacturing company, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) only had time to announce the success of the final stage prototype frame assembly process for the Korean Fighter (KF-X) aircraft project which was their pride in early September 2020.
KAI in its official statement on September 4, 2020, with the title ‘KAI started the final assembly of the KF-X Prototype “did not mention Indonesia or PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) regarding partners in the announcement of this success. Indonesia is the party that has been collaborating since start in this ambitious mega-project for both countries.
KAI CEO Ahn Hyunho, in his official statement, only thanked their collaboration partners without mentioning any specifics.
(Hi Hi)
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