JAKARTA, (Indonesia): Indonesia's Chief of the Presidential Staff (KSP), Moeldoko, received South Korean Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) Minister Eom Dong-hwan here yesterday (October 5) to discuss the Korean Fighter X and Indonesia Fighter X (KFX/IFX) development cooperation, reported the ANTARA news agency.
Moeldoko said that the development of the KFX/IFX fighter aircraft can continue because defence industry cooperation is important for Indonesia and South Korea's diplomatic relations, which reaches the 50 years milestone this year.
"According to the President's directive, this cooperation can continue, because this is one of the strategic cooperations, both for long-term defence infrastructure and technology knowledge transfer," he added.
The KFX/IFX development cooperation is under the auspices of Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and the Defence Ministry.
The cooperation will include the transfer of fighter aircraft technology from South Korea to Indonesia. The project is expected to produce 120 fighter jets for South Korea and 48 fighter jets for Indonesia.
Moeldoko further explained that the Indonesian government, through KSP, the Defence Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Indonesian Military (TNI), has continued to seek breakthroughs in continuing the KFX/IFX cooperation.
Meanwhile, Eom lauded Indonesia's commitment to continuing the KFX/IFX cooperation.
"This is in line with the agreement reached between the leaders of both countries, that Indonesia and Korea are the best partners," he said.
The continuation of the cooperation was marked by the 78th anniversary of the National Defense Forces (TNI) yesterday.
In a meeting on Monday (October 2) with the Defence Ministry, Finance Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Moeldoko emphasised that the KFX/IFX cooperation program must be carefully prepared and seriously considered.
"This collaboration has put a stake in the political relations between Indonesia and South Korea. We have to consider it seriously," he said. –Bernama