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KFX/IFX News and Development

I want to bring "Indonesian" news on KFX/IFX to show this thread has better input than other KFX/IFX thread in other forum that only use Korean media as source.

This is the most extensive report about KFX/IFX program made by Indonesian mainstream media. Most Indonesian mainstream media dont have defense specialist journalist, but this report is quite informative since they interview many Indonesian who are involved in the program, including Indonesian KFX/IFX program manager. The reports were made in 2016 March and this is so far the most extensive report about the program made by Indonesian media

In this edition there are many report about the program so you can find other interesting information
that cannot be found in other forum or media if you lurk on this edition.



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Create a fighter jet, Indonesia prepares massive resources


Anggi Kusumadewi, Resty Armenia, Prima Gumilang | CNN Indonesia
Wednesday, 02 Mar 2016 12:39 WIB

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PT Dirgantara Indonesia has prepared composing hangars, titanium hangars, production hangars, and final assembly hangars for fighter aircraft. (ANTARA/Novrian Arbi)


Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- “Warplanes are like cell phones. The technology has changed over the years, whether it's about electronics, sensors or weapons."

Heri Yansyah, Head of the Korea Fighter Xperiment/Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KF-X/IF-X) program at PT Dirgantara Indonesia, said this while talking to CNNIndonesia.com, Friday (19/2).

“So Indonesia must be able to upgrade this ever-changing technology. If you don't have the ability to upgrade, then buy the same aircraft as neighboring countries, then in two or three years, Indonesia will be defeated," said Heri.

Although comparing fighter planes with mobile phones, to make it far from easy. It took more than 10 years to develop the KF-X/IF-X which was designed to be a 4.5 generation multi-role fighter jet with technology approaching the capabilities of a 5th generation stealth fighter.

Since the jet engine was first developed in 1946, fighter aircraft have evolved to the fifth generation. This latest generation combines stealth technology for undetected radar, supersonic roaming capabilities, and new integrated sensors.

The only 5th generation fighter aircraft currently in service is the US Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. While a number of other jets from that generation, such as the F-35 Lighting II and the Sukhoi PAK FA, are still at the testing stage.

To make the KF-X/IF-X prototype, Indonesian and South Korean scientists will work hand in hand at the Korea Aerospace Industries headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.

"At the peak of prototyping, 200 Indonesian engineers will be involved," said Heri, who in the 2011-2012 period went to South Korea for 18 months to work on the first phase of the KF-X/IF-X project, namely concept development.

The number of Indonesian engineers who went to South Korea in the second phase of work – prototyping – starting in 2016 was far more than the first phase, which only amounted to 52 people.

The Indonesian scientists will come to South Korea gradually over the next 10 years. "There are engineers who have to stay there for a full 10 years, but there are also those who are rotated," said Heri.

Build facilities

Domestically, Indonesia is speeding up the preparation of human resources and technology, starting from research on the core technology of fighter jet engines, materials, avionics, aerodynamics, to building a laboratory to support this research.

In addition, although the production of KF-X/IF-X is centered in South Korea, the headquarters of PT Dirgantara Indonesia in Bandung, West Java, will be no less busy. PTDI will monitor all the work on the fighter aircraft.

PTDI, for example, has prepared the Indonesian Design Center (DCI) to build technology, infrastructure and simulation capabilities. In this place, all stages of work on the KF-X/IF-X in South Korea will be communicated.

DCI is a mirroring of the Design Center building which was also built in Sacheon, South Korea. The Design Center in Sacheon is a kind of sealed and sterile building. People who enter it are prohibited from bringing flash drives and computers. There, Indonesian and South Korean scientists will work together.

Indonesia was also assigned the task of making aircraft components for the right wing and tail, as well as under-wing reinforcement.

See also: Indonesia's Steep Road Makes a Stealth Fighter Plane

Also, Indonesia gets a share to make aircraft prototypes. A total of eight prototypes will be built – six flying prototypes, and two non-flying prototypes for structural testing.

"The fifth prototype will be made here," said Heri. "Why the fifth? Because this is the first time Indonesia has developed a fighter aircraft. For the first and second prototypes, Indonesia is not ready," added the PTDI aerodynamics expert.

Therefore, PTDI has also prepared composing hangar facilities, titanium hangars, production hangars, and final assembly hangars for fighter aircraft.


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It is old news, new development shows Indonesia government hasnt completed the investment for production facility and 116 Indonesian engineers were called to Indonesia in May 2020 during the production of the prototype, although the design phase has indeed been completed for single seat KF21 in late 2019. This is why Fifth prototype will be produced in Korea, different from the plan

What is the evolution plan for KF-21/IFX and what long-term plans has your government released in terms of phased acquisition?

To make it economical, both you guys and the Koreans will have to buy around 150-200 units each, apart from the estimated exports and potential partners. UAE just snubbed an F-35 deal with the US. They may have limited capabilities but can be an excellent partner if Indonesia and South Koreans (in light of their recent sale of K-SAM) can convince them.
 
What is the evolution plan for KF-21/IFX and what long-term plans has your government released in terms of phased acquisition?

To make it economical, both you guys and the Koreans will have to buy around 150-200 units each, apart from the estimated exports and potential partners. UAE just snubbed an F-35 deal with the US. They may have limited capabilities but can be an excellent partner if Indonesia and South Koreans (in light of their recent sale of K-SAM) can convince them.

KF21/IFX program according to the plan will evolve from 4.5 generation fighter into 5 generation fighter. Later based on latest development, there is plan to improve it overtime to reach 6 generation fighter capability ( long term plan ).

48 fixed order and promise to make it our backbone fighters until 30-40 years to come ( stated by President during the roll out event ). Fighter jet development has already become a political decision and put on the President Law in January 2021. It is already a priority program in defense sector.

During KF 21 roll out event in April (South Korea)


I also think Indonesia will buy around 200 planes at minimum (gradually). As the economy is expected to double in 2030, the need to balance China in South East Asia region, and to prepare for increase instability in SCS. Indonesia also has law that forbid our Armed Force to buy defense equipment that can be produced locally.

Indonesia has long term acquisition plan in defense called Minimum Essential Force (MEF). It is quite aggressive posture if we can achieve it. After MEF is reached then the next program is likely to launch EF (Essential Force).
 
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Prototype 1

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Prototypes 3 and 4

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Since 5 Indonesia state owned companies in defense sector have been merged and it is now under PT LEN Industry ( electronic company), so I think the funding to support KF21/IFX program either related to separate R&D program, production facility, production during mass production phase (InshaAllah), etc will be easier inshaAllah.

The administrative process to make the holding (Defense ID) is still on going and expected to be completed in this month. KF21/IFX is already put as one of the products of the holding company.

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South Korean KF21/IFX Head Program visited Indonesia Defense Ministry high official in Jakarta Today.

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Previously South Korean DAPA Minister visited Prabowo in Jakarta late January 2022

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DAPA chief meets Indonesian defense chief
Kang Eun-ho (2nd from L), head of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), meets with Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (R) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Jan. 26, 2022, in this photo provided by the South Korean Embassy in the Southeast Asian nation. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 
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Singapore Airshow 2022: KF-21 captures Asia-Pacific and European export interest​

15th February 2022 - 04:25 GMT | by Tim Martin in Singapore

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KAI has held talks with potential KF-21 fighter jet export customers from Asia-Pacific and Europe.

The KAI KF-21 Boramae 4.5-generation fighter has attracted the attention of potential buyers from Asia-Pacific and Europe, as the manufacturer begins to ramp up preparations for the first flight of the new jet in July.

KAI has completed production of four aircraft to undergo testing as part of an engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) phase underwritten by South Korea.

The EMD will cover ground tests, flight tests, armament tests and a number of other airworthiness items, all to be held at the KAI facility in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.

‘We expect to complete testing in less than two years and begin production in 2024,’ Jae Yun Park, aircraft business development manager at KAI, told Shephard.

In all, six prototypes are expected to undergo testing before production begins.

‘Roughly [production will cover] three squadrons and available to export customers after that,' Jae said. 'The government is going to decide and let us know when exactly it will be available for export programmes.

Some [of those interested] are in Asia-Pacific and some are in Europe.’
Park added that the US government would have to give export approval for KF-21 weapons packages before any such sales could move forward.

 
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AlhamduliLLAH, the payment is expected to happen in the first semester 2022

"In particular, when Kang Eun-ho, director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, visited Indonesia at the end of last month, it was reported that he received a message from Defense Minister Prabowo that 800 billion won in arrears on KF-21 would be resolved to some extent in the first half of the year."

 

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