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IFX Indonesian Fighter Experiment (KF21/IFX program)

AlhamduliLLAH


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Indonesia resumes payment for joint fighter development project with S. Korea​

All News 22:39 November 02, 2022


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JAKARTA, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Indonesia has resumed payment for its share of the cost for a joint fighter development project with South Korea, an informed source said Wednesday, nearly four years after Jakarta stopped its payments.

Indonesia's Ministry of Defense made a payment of 9.4 billion won (US$6.6 million) to the South Korean government the previous day for the development project of the KF-21 jet, the source said.

Launched in 2015, the 8.8-trillion-won project seeks to develop the 4.5th-generation fighter to replace South Korea's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets.

Indonesia has agreed to shoulder 20 percent of the total development cost as a partner country. Despite the deal, the country had halted payments since January 2019 and is estimated to have overdue payments of about 800 billion won.

In July, the KF-21 successfully carried out its first flight test.

 
There are 52 Indonesian engineers contributed on the program during first phase of development 2011-2016. The document also shows some work package (Design and analysts/Engineering) and component manufacturing are also done in Indonesian Aerospace (PTDI) during development phase- EWP (Engineering Work Package) and ACM (Airframe Component Manufacturing).

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The number of engineers then increase from 52 (first phase of development) into 114 during detail design phase (2018 July-2019 September).

Indonesia delays payment for S. Korea's fighter development project​

All News 11:49 October 07, 2019

As of July, 114 Indonesian engineers were sent to South Korea to work with Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), the country's sole aircraft manufacturer, to design and make a prototype of the fighter, according to a DAPA official.


During CDR meeting 2019 September where detail design is considered as finalized and completed

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Indonesian Parliament stated their support on KF21 program during South Korean delegation visit.

Receiving the South Korea Delegation, DPR Supports Cooperation in the Development of the KF21 Jet Fighter​

2022-11-17 /MISCELLANEOUS
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Indonesian KFX/IFX project manager being interviewed in 2016

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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
 
AlhamduliLLAH good decision is made by President, Mindef and Bappenas officials, better support KFX/IFX program and MALE UCAV program and wait until mass production phase is started in 2026 inshaAllah for both program.

This is how to make the acquisition effecient and effective for both Indonesian Air Force and Indonesian economy by not buying F 15 EX, limiting Rafale acquisition into just 1 squadron (18 planes) and wait for indigenous program instead.

Positive effects:

1. Air Force

Improve capability since KF 21/IFX is 4.5 generation fighter and upgradable to 5 generation fighters

Possible more fighters are acquired due to cheaper price of KF 21/IFX for both acquisition (65 million USD) and maintenance cost

Communality in maintenance and operation by not operate too many of fighter type thus create less complexity and also lower maintenance and operation cost since PTDI is part of the OEM.

Increase deterrence by:

Decrease dependency on foreign country in the acquisition. local Upgrade and Future Refurbished program by local industry.

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2. Indonesia local defense industry

Improving knowledge, technology and human resource base, boosting production and Indonesian Aerospace brand name.

Giving opportunity for other related Aerospace related company like InfoGlobal, PT LEN Industry, PT Nusantara Turbin to contribute on the program and thus giving them chance to grow in fighter jet components market.

3. Indonesian economy

Current situation: Lowering Debt to equity ratio by not adding unnecessary foreign loan. Giving the government better image in the perception of Rating agency like Fitch rating due to its prudent economic policy

After KF 21/IFX reach mass production inshaAllah: local production, possibility to grow avionics and other aerospace related industries, much cheaper than Rafale and F 15 EX.

Effective and efficient spending

Retain more foreign exchange, hence strengthen currency

4. Indonesian brand image

Important to boost Indonesian hightech products like aircraft, electronics, sofware, and others image in the perception of both domestic and foreign market.

5. Geopolitics

Developing and making 5 generation fighter will increase the global leaders perception toward Indonesia

6. Mental Revolution

Giving high confident to all Indonesian and improve "We can make it" mind set among Indonesian.

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Threat analysis


The situation in SCS is still relatively calm since USA is still very strong and China will not want to jeopardize its economic development by launching any military assault in the region at least until 2040.

Any way, it will be Vietnam, Philippine, and Malaysia/Brunei who will be targeted by China if that country is lead by crazy (which is not the case of current leadership). Indonesia will likely be spared by China as the dispute is not significant and happen in the edge of China nine dash claim.

We should focus on how to accelerate our local defense program and put more R&D on it.
 
I could be wrong but this fighter I think would also fulfil PAF and Turkiye requirements why not join this programme which is already very advanced than rely on own programmes. Maybe a ToT agreement will help as well along with funding and research & development.
 

South Korea allocates additional funding for KF-21 air-to-ground missile​

14 DECEMBER 2022
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South Korea's development of a new air-to-ground missile for its KF-21 fighter jet will very likely improve the ability of the Roke to conduct sustained long-range strikes. (DAPA/Janes)


by Akhil Kadidal & Rahul Udoshi


South Korea has allocated additional funding to continue the development of a new air-to-ground missile being built for the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae fighter jet.

In an announcement on 12 December, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that it will invest KRW190 billion (USD146.07 million) in the project. DAPA told Janes that the funding will enable the development of a system for the use of the domestic long-range missile.

According to information held by Janes , the South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) began development of this missile in 2019. In September 2021, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that the missile had undergone an aircraft separation flight test from a Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) F-4E Phantom II aircraft.

With the initial phase of development having been completed in 2021, the new contract will continue development of the missile from December 2022. The investment will cover development up to 2028, DAPA added.


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