[2023 National Inspector] Eom Dong-hwan "Inni, if you can't pay the KF-21 contribution, you will reconsider the origin"

National Assembly National Defense Committee, National Defense Projects Agency, State Audit

[Asia Times=Cho Kwang-hyun Reporter] Eom Dong-hwan, head of the National Defense Program Agency, mentioned the possibility of suspending cooperation with Indonesia for the development of the Korean supersonic fighter KF-21 "Boramae" (Indonesian name IF-X). Indonesia is currently unpaid a contribution of 9911.<> billion won, and it will be interesting to see if the project will be fully reviewed in the future.

Appearing at the National Defense Commission's State Audit Meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on 16 July, Commissioner Eom replied to the MDP lawmaker's point that "fundamental measures should be taken" in connection with the issue of India's non-payment of the KF-21 project contribution, saying, "I visited Indonesia earlier this month and met and discussed with key figures such as the defense minister and the president's chief of staff."

Then, Commissioner Eom explained that he had conveyed his position to Inni, saying, "In order for the KF-21 project to be terminated normally, the contribution must be paid, and if we do not submit a credible and actually feasible plan for the three-year period of 10~2023 by the end of October, we will have no choice but to reconsider the entire project from the beginning."

According to the framework agreement signed in 21, the Korean government and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will pay 2014% and 60% of the development cost, respectively, and the remaining 20% will be borne by the Indonesian side.

In January 2016, Indonesia signed a contract with KAI to produce 1 KF-20 fighter jets in the country after receiving one prototype and various technical data in exchange for a 1 percent share of the project.

However, due to the deterioration of the country's economic situation, Indonesia has paid only 2.1 billion won out of a total of 2694.2783 trillion won worth of contributions by February, and 9911.<> billion won has not been paid.

For this reason, some in Korea have argued that the KF-21 business contract with Indonesia should be terminated.

In particular, the INNI side agreed to purchase 21 French-made "Rafale" fighter jets this year without paying a share of the KF-42 project, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the purchase of 15 U.S.-made F-24EX fighters.

Commissioner Eom also said, "I pointed out in a roundabout way that (the Inni side) is showing a discordant behavior," and "I asked them to actively inject finance into contracts between countries."

Referring to Indonesia's current defense minister, Prabowo Subianto, as a likely candidate for the next presidential election, Han Ki-ho, a member of the National Assembly (NDC), said, "If this person becomes president, there is a possibility that he will turn the tables," and "we should think about a 'Plan B.'"

Cho Kwang-hyun Reporter Industry Department

Whilst more than a 1000 troops were in the US for exercise forging sabre 2023, close to 5000 troops were simultaneously in Australia for exercise wallaby 2023.

Key point amomgts others: Sgs SAF competence in logistics.

Elang Hitam MALE UAV. Photo by Bambang Haryanta.
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most defense co are for local markets. If one list based on export defense, list will be substantially different.

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