KFX/IFX News and Development

[Indos]

Indonesia to renegotiate involvement in KFX/IFX fighter programme
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
21 October 2018

The Indonesian government has confirmed that it will seek to “renegotiate and restructure” its programme with South Korea to develop the KFX/IFX fighter aircraft. Source: Korea Aerospace Industries

The Indonesian government has said it will renegotiate its programme with South Korea to develop the Korean Fighter Xperiment/Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KFX/IFX) aircraft.

The Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security of Indonesia said in a statement on its website on 19 October that the move is necessary due to “current national economic conditions”.

The minister of the portfolio, Wiranto – who goes by a single name – said in the statement that the government will look to secure a “lighter” economic commitment to the co-development project, which began in 2015.

“Due to national economic conditions, President [Joko Widodo] has decided to renegotiate [the contract] to make Indonesia’s position lighter for matters related to funding,” said Wiranto.

He added that the government will now form a project team, which he will lead, to renegotiate the contract with representatives from South Korea, and that both governments wanted to finalise a new deal within 12 months.

Wiranto said elements of the deal to be reviewed include Indonesia’s overall financial commitment, the agreed percentage of development costs to be covered by Indonesia, production workshare and expenses, technology transfers to Indonesia, and Indonesia’s access to intellectual property as well as marketing rights once the programme begins production.

In the same ministerial statement, Tom Lembong, chairman of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), said that South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in had already agreed to “renegotiate and restructure” the KFX/IFX program during meetings between the two leaders in a summit in Seoul in September.

He said that the renegotiation will aim to lessen the burden on the state budget, reduce the depletion of Indonesian foreign exchange reserves, and “maintain an investment climate” for South Korean investors in the fighter aircraft program. He added, “The two heads of state agreed that this [renegotiation] must be completed in 12 months.”

https://www.janes.com/article/83926...iate-involvement-in-kfx-ifx-fighter-programme

 

[Indos]

KFX/IFX on wind tunnel test

 

[Indos]

Indonesia Presses Ahead with IF-X 4.5 Gen Fighter Programme

November 7, 2018

Indonesia is continuing ahead with its ambitious plans to partner with South Korea for the 4.5 generation KF-X/IF-X programme.

Daily News spoke with Nurkaswiyanto, Chief Engineer IF-X, Technology Centre Division, Directorate of Technology & Development at Indonesia’s state owned airframer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for an update on the programme.

According to Nurkaswiyanto, one of the main goals of the programme was to develop fighter development capability within Indonesia. The development of capability to manufacture large composite structures for aerospace requirements was another key aspect of the IF-X programme.

Indonesia is now trying to better manage its financial commitment for the IF-X programme and Korea has been supportive of such requests, company officials say. In September, following discussions with the presidents of Indonesia and South Korea, both nations agreed to move ahead with the programme.

The total cost of developing the 4.5 generation fighter is pegged at US$8 billion, with Indonesia to undertake a 20 percent workshare. The total financial commitment for Indonesia is expected to touch US$2.2 – 2.3 billion, over the 10-year design and development cycle.

The cost of each KF-X/IF-X fighter which was initially pegged at US$70 million per aircraft, is now expected to increase to US$75 million per aircraft.

Around 200 Indonesian engineers are already working on the IF-X programme, with some engineers based in South Korea. Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has also deputed some senior engineers to Indonesia. PT Dirgantara Indonesia has been tasked with producing the composite wing and horizontal and vertical stabilisers for the KF-X and IF-X. While the wing for the first prototype will be built in Korea, all wings for production versions of the KF-X and IF-X will be built in Indonesia, Nurkaswiyanto says.

PTDI will also undertake the integration of weapons and sensors proposed by the Indonesian Air Force, including older weapons such as the AGM65. Indonesia is expected to retain the Diehl Iris-T and MBDA Meteor as the main missile armament for the IF-X.

PTDI will undertake the integration of a 480-gallon external drop tank to meet an Indonesian air force requirement. Korea will use a 370 gallon drop tank for KF-X aircraft.

The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the KF-X/IF-X programme was completed in June and the Critical Design Review (CDR) is slated for completion in April 2019, following which the production of the first prototype will commence. The first KF-X prototype will roll-out in 2020.

https://gbp.com.sg/indonesia-presses-ahead-with-if-x-4-5-gen-fighter-programme/

 

[ohmrlobalobayeh]

Indonesia Presses Ahead with IF-X 4.5 Gen Fighter Programme

November 7, 2018

Indonesia is continuing ahead with its ambitious plans to partner with South Korea for the 4.5 generation KF-X/IF-X programme.

Daily News spoke with Nurkaswiyanto, Chief Engineer IF-X, Technology Centre Division, Directorate of Technology & Development at Indonesia’s state owned airframer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for an update on the programme.

According to Nurkaswiyanto, one of the main goals of the programme was to develop fighter development capability within Indonesia. The development of capability to manufacture large composite structures for aerospace requirements was another key aspect of the IF-X programme.

Indonesia is now trying to better manage its financial commitment for the IF-X programme and Korea has been supportive of such requests, company officials say. In September, following discussions with the presidents of Indonesia and South Korea, both nations agreed to move ahead with the programme.

The total cost of developing the 4.5 generation fighter is pegged at US$8 billion, with Indonesia to undertake a 20 percent workshare. The total financial commitment for Indonesia is expected to touch US$2.2 – 2.3 billion, over the 10-year design and development cycle.

The cost of each KF-X/IF-X fighter which was initially pegged at US$70 million per aircraft, is now expected to increase to US$75 million per aircraft.

Around 200 Indonesian engineers are already working on the IF-X programme, with some engineers based in South Korea. Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has also deputed some senior engineers to Indonesia. PT Dirgantara Indonesia has been tasked with producing the composite wing and horizontal and vertical stabilisers for the KF-X and IF-X. While the wing for the first prototype will be built in Korea, all wings for production versions of the KF-X and IF-X will be built in Indonesia, Nurkaswiyanto says.

PTDI will also undertake the integration of weapons and sensors proposed by the Indonesian Air Force, including older weapons such as the AGM65. Indonesia is expected to retain the Diehl Iris-T and MBDA Meteor as the main missile armament for the IF-X.

PTDI will undertake the integration of a 480-gallon external drop tank to meet an Indonesian air force requirement. Korea will use a 370 gallon drop tank for KF-X aircraft.

The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the KF-X/IF-X programme was completed in June and the Critical Design Review (CDR) is slated for completion in April 2019, following which the production of the first prototype will commence. The first KF-X prototype will roll-out in 2020.

https://gbp.com.sg/indonesia-presses-ahead-with-if-x-4-5-gen-fighter-programme/

oh not a stealth jet?

 

[Indos]

oh not a stealth jet?

Based on plan, it will in be full stealth starting at block 2.

 

[ohmrlobalobayeh]

Based on plan, it will in be full stealth starting at block 2.

the article already stated 4.5 generation

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

the article already stated 4.5 generation

Block 1 is 4.5. The TNI-AU requirement is to have a drop pod to increase the plane range.

 

[Indos]

KFX/IFX Fighter Aircraft development reaches 20 percent
Jumat, 7 Desember 2018 10:39 WIB - 0 Views

Reporter: antara

Fighter aircraft model made by Indonesia and South Korea, KFX / IFX (AntaraNews.com/Ade P Marboen)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The development of fighter aircraft 4.5 generation, Korean Fighter Xperiment/Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KFX/IFX) under cooperation of Indonesia and South Korea which was established since 2011, has been reaching 20 percent.

"Until now the development process has been reaching 20 percent. There are three stages we need to pass, namely technology development, EMD (engineering and manufacturing development), and prototyping," Director of Technology and Development of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) Air Marshal Gita Amperiawan said at a press conference here on Thursday.

According to him, after the G to G cooperation project has been running for seven years, the preliminary design review phase has completed to ensure the configuration of the KFX/IFX fighter aircraft has met the operational requirements of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).

"Today we are socializing to all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defense, Coordinating Ministry for Politics of Law and Human Rights about the development progress of the engineering manufacturing development phase," Gita said.

He further said, after the preliminary design was completed, the two countries will develop the prototype of the fighter.

This fighter aircraft is expected to be mass produced in 2026 after passing flight tests and certifications.

"We have passed the technology development phase and EMP. The details of the design are expected to complete around July or August 2019, and we will begin prototyping, testing and certification processes," he noted.

Gita added that the Indonesian and South Korean governments accommodate common requirements that the prototyping should accommodate the interests of the Indonesian Air Force.

There will be 168 units of aircraft to be produced. South Korea will receive 120 aircraft while Indonesia will get 48 units.

"We contribute 20 percent in each phase according to the agreement," he said.

At the same occasion, Chairman of PT DI`s KFX / IFX Program Heri Yansyah said the Indonesian aircraft industry PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are just system integrators in the development of KFX / IFX aircraft.

"So, all components will be produced by other parties including engines and avionics. The navigation is produced by other parties that will be integrated into this aircraft. We also have plans on how aircraft technology can be built by Indonesia`s local industries, such as PT Pindad," he said.

According to Heri, Pindad, which is the Indonesian state-owned enterprise specialization in military and commercial products, could make weapon system for this generation 4.5 fighter.

"The weapons can be produced by Pindad. We also build technologies, such as data links, weapon integration, and radar. These are our works that we call strategic investment. We will figure out how to produce fighter aircraft in the country because it relates to our independence," Heri said.

The KFX/IFX fighter is a generation 4.5 of semi-stealth multi-role aircraft developed by Indonesia and South Korea. This fighter aircraft is designed to replace ROFKA and Indonesian Air Force`s fighter jets.

Some of the advantages of KFX / IFX fighter include semi-stealth, and have semi conformal missile launchers, advanced avionics and air refueling.

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries, Indonesia covers 20 percent the total cost of the fighter development program, while South Korea bears 80 percent of it.

Reporting by Syaiful Hakim
Editng by Libertina, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Heru Purwanto

 

[Mohrenn]

That is one very complicated and intricate development history.

 

[Beast]

Based on plan, it will in be full stealth starting at block 2.

Its impossible to redesign and incorporate an internal weapon bay in block 2 from this current design. If so, essential it will be a new design.

 

[JohnWick]

a Good looking aircraft!

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

@messiach thought you might be interested, South Korea is taking a clearly iterative approach to their next-gen fighter.

 

[NEKONEKO]

Its impossible to redesign and incorporate an internal weapon bay in block 2 from this current design. If so, essential it will be a new design.

I agree, but if they want to call it as block 2 then let it be.
Or maybe call it as a new 4.5 gen fighter with internal weapon bays developed from kfx, and developed further as a fully gen 5 stealth fighter?
This proporsal may got rejected being wasting money on developing 2 jet fighter.
To get approval and i don't think SK able to develop gen 5 fighter yet, they make it like Pok3mon, evolve from block 1 to block 3.
IMHO

OOT
Is it just me or when you write p-o-k(without the -) somehow when posted it become "Azad Kashmir"
Azad Kashmir
@waz

 

[messiach]

We missed each other at the Expo. I attended the inaugural - extreme right in second row.

@messiach thought you might be interested, South Korea is taking a clearly iterative approach to their next-gen fighter.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

We missed each other at the Expo. I attended the inaugural - extreme right in second row.

I came in for the 2nd and 3rd day, though in hindsight that was a big (and rookie) mistake.