KFX/IFX News and Development

[Indos]

S. Korea, Indonesia pledge to deepen economic, security cooperation​

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo in Seoul on July 28, 2022. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

SINGAPORE - The leaders of South Korea and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen economic and security cooperation in areas such as the development of electric vehicles and batteries, smart city systems and even a fighter plane project, as well as in the supply of key minerals.

The two countries also agreed to communicate closely and deepen cooperation with Asean, according to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

“Asean is our core partner in achieving peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Yoon said on Thursday (July 28) at a press conference in Seoul, held jointly with visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

“Based on our firm support for Asean centrality, we will strike a balance between our Indo-Pacific strategy and Asean perspectives.”

Indonesia is the only Asean nation to have a “special strategic partnership” with South Korea.

A bilateral agreement was signed in late 2017 covering four areas of cooperation: defence and foreign affairs; bilateral trade and infrastructure development; people-to-people exchanges; and regional and global cooperation.

Mr Widodo on Thursday voiced certainty that “our partnership will be even stronger in the future” under the leadership of President Yoon, who took office in May this year.


“We welcome the increasing trend of trade and we agree to continue to open market access, overcome trade barriers and promote superior products from both countries,” he said.

South Korea is the seventh largest importer of Indonesian goods and ranks sixth as an exporter of goods to Indonesia. Trade between both nations reached US$18.4 billion (S$25.4 billion) last year, up from US$15.65 billion in 2019.

Mr Widodo said he “specifically encouraged” South Korean investment in Indonesia’s developing electric car ecosystem, in areas such as batteries.

Mr Yoon noted that Indonesia is a major exporter of nickel - an important component in batteries and other technology products that South Korea produces.

He expressed his gratitude towards Indonesia for helping his country overcome a severe urea shortage last year, noting that “this is an example of how important bilateral cooperation is”.
Indonesia agreed to provide an annual 120,000 tonnes of urea, used to cut emissions in factories and diesel trucks, after China cut exports of the chemical to South Korea.

Mr Yoon and Mr Widodo also agreed to work more closely in the United States-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.

The two sides also agreed to expand an agreement signed in 2019 to collaborate on a US$32 billion project to move Indonesia’s capital from the over-congested Jakarta to the new city of Nusantara on Borneo island.

Mr Widodo said construction and water supply are already under way under the initial partnership.

Mr Yoon said the new agreement “laid the groundwork for our companies to actively contribute to building the new Indonesian capital’s infrastructure, electronic government and smart city systems”.

On the defence front, the two leaders celebrated the first successful test flight of a jointly-developed fighter jet named KF-21.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation until the end of the project, although Indonesia has yet to pay its share of the cost of the project, citing economic difficulties.
South Korea’s presidential office said the two sides have agreed to accelerate working level talks on payment issues.

Mr Widodo arrived in Seoul on Wednesday for the last leg of his East Asian tour, which also took him to China and Japan.

Besides the summit with Mr Yoon, he also met Hyundai Motor Group’s executive chairman Chung Eui-sun to discuss cooperation in electric cars.

In a separate meeting with the heads of major South Korean conglomerates such as LG Corp, CJ Group and Lotte Chemical, Mr Widodo urged closer collaboration to develop Indonesia’s economy and voiced hope that South Korea can become one of Indonesia’s top three investors - up from No. 6.

S. Korea, Indonesia pledge to deepen economic, security cooperation

Indonesia is relocating its capital from heavily congested Jakarta to the new city of Nusantara on Borneo island. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

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Reinforcing Cooperation in Defense Industry and Economic Security – S. Korea-Indonesia Summit​

 

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27 JULY 2022

Poland to buy FA-50 combat aircraft from South Korea​

by Gareth Jennings


Poland is to acquire 48 FA-50 combat aircraft from South Korea, with deliveries to commence in 2023. (KAI)

Poland is to augment its existing fixed-wing combat aviation forces with the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft to be procured from South Korea.

Mariusz Błaszczak, the deputy prime minister and minister of national defence, approved the plan as part of a wider bilateral defence procurement agreement between the two countries announced on 27 July. The agreement will see the Polish Air Force (Inspektorat Sił Powietrznych: ISP) augment its existing 48 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 50+ Fighting Falcons with 48 FA-50 aircraft to equip three front-line squadrons.

“We have signed framework agreements that will allow us to strengthen the Polish [armed forces]. We don't have time, we have to arm the Polish [armed forces],” Błaszczak said. “It is about the principle of deterrence so that the aggressor does not dare to threaten Poland.”

In line with this urgent requirement, the first 12 FA-50 aircraft will be delivered in mid-2023, with the remainder to follow according to an undisclosed timeline. “The aircraft will be configured in accordance with the precise requirements presented by the Polish Air Force ([including identification, friend-or-foe] IFF NATO), [and] will have increased operational capabilities [of] the Block 20 standard,” the government said.

The FA-50 is the operational version of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer. Although billed as a ‘light' fighter, the FA-50 has a potent air-to-air and air-to-surface capability. According to Janes All the World's Aircraft: In Service

Poland to buy FA-50 combat aircraft from South Korea

Poland is to augment its existing fixed-wing combat aviation forces with the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft to be procured from South...

www.janes.com

 

[FuturePAF]

Yup I think it is a bit copy of F 22 and the design is still legal since Lockheed Martin is also in the program. Semi Stealth for block 1, and full stealth for block 2 and 3 (based on plan). I think Malaysia is going to be interested with this plane if the program can be realized.

Will the engines remain American sourced, or is there a plan for fully local sourced engines?

27 JULY 2022

Poland to buy FA-50 combat aircraft from South Korea​

by Gareth Jennings


Poland is to acquire 48 FA-50 combat aircraft from South Korea, with deliveries to commence in 2023. (KAI)

Poland is to augment its existing fixed-wing combat aviation forces with the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft to be procured from South Korea.

Mariusz Błaszczak, the deputy prime minister and minister of national defence, approved the plan as part of a wider bilateral defence procurement agreement between the two countries announced on 27 July. The agreement will see the Polish Air Force (Inspektorat Sił Powietrznych: ISP) augment its existing 48 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 50+ Fighting Falcons with 48 FA-50 aircraft to equip three front-line squadrons.

“We have signed framework agreements that will allow us to strengthen the Polish [armed forces]. We don't have time, we have to arm the Polish [armed forces],” Błaszczak said. “It is about the principle of deterrence so that the aggressor does not dare to threaten Poland.”

In line with this urgent requirement, the first 12 FA-50 aircraft will be delivered in mid-2023, with the remainder to follow according to an undisclosed timeline. “The aircraft will be configured in accordance with the precise requirements presented by the Polish Air Force ([including identification, friend-or-foe] IFF NATO), [and] will have increased operational capabilities [of] the Block 20 standard,” the government said.

The FA-50 is the operational version of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer. Although billed as a ‘light' fighter, the FA-50 has a potent air-to-air and air-to-surface capability. According to Janes All the World's Aircraft: In Service

Poland to buy FA-50 combat aircraft from South Korea

Poland is to augment its existing fixed-wing combat aviation forces with the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft to be procured from South...

www.janes.com

Along with the tanks for the polish army, South Korea is making great strides in arms sales to Poland.

 

[Indos]

Will the engines remain American sourced, or is there a plan for fully local sourced engines?


Along with the tanks for the polish army, South Korea is making great strides in arms sales to Poland.

Of course, but South Korea will do assembling and making some parts in F 414 engine. The plan to develop larger plane (most probably as big as F22) will likely use another American engine. This plane design is already STEALTHY enough even if both Korea and Indonesia develop it further into 6 generation fighter.

They have made engine for their UAV and cruise missile, something that Turkey hasnt been able to do so.

Their bigger version of KF21 is regarded as 5.5 generation, plan to be better than F 35.

Yup, South Korea is very good in advanced technology and those East Asian countries, China, Japan, and South Korea are competing each other. This is why when Jokowi visited one of them, Jokowi should also visit the others.

 

[FuturePAF]

Of course, but South Korea will do assembling and making some parts in F 414 engine. The plan to develop larger plane (most probably as big as F22) will likely use another American engine. This plane design is already STEALTHY enough even if both Korea and Indonesia develop it further into 6 generation fighter.

They have made engine for their UAV and cruise missile, something that Turkey hasnt been able to do so.

Their bigger version of KF21 is regarded as 5.5 generation, plan to be better than F 35.

Yup, South Korea is very good in advanced technology and those East Asian countries, China, Japan, and South Korea are competing each other. This is why when Jokowi visited one of them, Jokowi should also visit the others.

So you don’t see Korea developing a completely independent engine from the Americans?

 

[Indos]

So you don’t see Korea developing a completely independent engine from the Americans?

They have made independent engine ( turbojet or turbofan / I am not sure which one ) for their Wingman drone program that has already flown. I think it is a matter of time before they can make engine for fighter jet, but due to pressuring situation, they will likely keep using US engine until 2045 for fighter jet, as for UCAV and cruise missile they have already had their indigenous engine.

Just check Hanwa, their turbofan division is quite large in civilian sector already

 

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PAF eyes SoKor's 'Boramae' multi-role, supersonic aircraft​

By Priam Nepomuceno
August 16, 2022, 10:18 am



MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is eyeing the South Korean-made KF-21 "Boramae", which is now undergoing development and flight testing, as one of the possible contenders for its multi-role fighter (MRF) project.

PAF spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano made this remark when asked if the KF-21, whose airframe is described as "stealthier than any fourth-generation fighter" is being considered for the MRF project.

"It is a possibility given that the MRF (project) has not been funded yet, the KF-21 can be a contender for the MRF (project)," he added in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Tuesday.

Mariano said the PAF is closely monitoring the developments of the KF-21 whose prototype had its first flight last July 19.

"The PAF is monitoring this, we cannot close our options when there are new systems that may be able to compete with other systems and which may fit into our requirement for defense. In this day and age, the prototyping stage for any system can be done faster due to the available technology, and we might see it fielded soon," Mariano said.

The PAF's MRF project requires at least 12 units of fourth-generation fighters capable of integrating with existing radar systems and has a range of at least 250 nautical miles.

If funded, this project is worth around PHP61 billion.

Mariano also expects the KF-21 to become a viable combat aircraft like the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50PHs, which the PAF has around 12 in service.

"Just like when we got the FA-50s, there were a lot of negative comments against it, but we proved to the critics that the system can be made combat ready and was actually proven in combat (in the Battle for Marawi)," he added.

The deliveries of the FA-50PH aircraft in the country started in 2015 and ended in 2017. The contract was worth around PHP18 billion.

The KF-21, which is also produced by KAI, is a South Korean fighter aircraft development program, with Indonesian involvement, with the goal of producing an advanced multi-role fighter for South Korea and Indonesia.

The program is led by the South Korean government, which has 60 percent of the program's shares.

Indonesia took a 20 percent stake in the program in 2010, while the remaining 20 are held by private partners including KAI.

South Korea is expected to field the KF-21 by 2026. Its primary intended users are the Republic of Korea Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force.

The KF-21 is South Korea's second domestic fighter jet development program, following the FA-50. (PNA)

PAF eyes SoKor's 'Boramae' multi-role, supersonic aircraft

MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is eyeing the South Korean-made KF-21 "Boramae", which is now undergoing development and flight testing, as one of the possible contenders for its multi-role fighter (MRF) project.PAF spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano made this remark when asked if...

www.pna.gov.ph

 

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Naval Version

 

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