REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Development project of Korean Fighter Xperiment (KFX) and Indonesian Fighter Xperiment (IFX) that have been delayed now resumed. This is a collaboration project between Indonesian and South Korean government through Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

"There is a good news that aircraft development resumed. South Korean parliament approved it," Minister of Defense, Purnomo Yusgiantoro said recently.

This collaboration project was firstly approved in 2011 and completed its first stage of technology development in December 2012. Indonesia and South Korea have formed Combine R&D Centre (CRDC). Indonesia has also trained 37 Indonesian engineers.

It was delayed as a change of government and parliament position in South Korea. Now, both countries will go to next stage to produce prototype of KFX and IFX aircraft. Deputy Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that South Korean parliament had decided to fund 20 million USD, while Indonesia would fund five million USD.

"We will enter phase of development of manufacturing in 2015, so we will prepare our engineering personnel this year," Sjamsoeddin said.

KFX is a 4.5 generation of fighter aircraft that equals to F-18 aircraft belonging to the United States. This aircraft is more advanced than F-16 and Sukhoi owned by Indonesia.

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