Indonesia Resumes Financial Commitments to KFX/IFX Fighter Development

The KFX/IFX will be a twin engine, twin tailed fighter with stealth characteristics that are better than current 4th+ and 4th++ generation fighters.

Indonesia has re-started providing its committed financial share on the joint development of the Korean Fighter Experimental (KFX) aircraft project, after halting due to financial constraints. This was confirmed by South Korean aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the main proponent of the project. The aircraft project is also known as Indonesia Fighter Experimental (IFX)

As part of the agreement entered upon by both countries, the Indonesian government through its Ministry of Defence will invest at least 20% of the KFX’s development cost, which translates to around KRW 1.7 trillion (US$ 900 million). The South Korean government will shoulder 60%, and KAI with 20%.

To improve its ability to provide its financial commitments, South Korea and Indonesia are negotiating to revise the payment structure

As part of the agreement, Indonesia sent engineers and technicians, which has grown over the last year, which enables Indonesia to grow its technological base and include development of fighter aircraft in its growing aviation industry capability.

The KFX/IFX project was started in response to requirements of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to find a replacement aircraft for their ageing McDonnell Douglas F-4D/E Phantom and Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II 3rd generation fighter aircraft. The requirement is to be superior to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and have better stealth characteristics than the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafael.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s requirement is for a new fighter aircraft as it anticipates to grow its fighter fleet in the near future as part of its Minimum Essential Force modernization, while also replacing earlier model F-16A/B Fighting Falcons.



[1] IHS Jane’s
[2] Defense Industry Daily