Indonesia Will Trust Its Air Defence To KFX/IFX Jet Fighters

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia will rely on jointly built KFX/IFX jet fighters with South Korea for its air defense in the coming five years.

"In the future, we should be able to produce war planes. We should not continue to purchase (from others)," Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said at the State Palace here on Tuesday.

He said Indonesia and South Korea are finalizing the concept for joint production of KFX/IFX  jet fighters with a capability equal to that of stealth jets.

In order to maintain air and border security, the Indonesian government will also purchase eight Sukhoi Su-35 jet fighters from Russia, the Defense Minister said.

The minister did not rule out the possibility of Indonesia  buying air arsenal from other jet fighter producer countries.

 "We have friendly relations with many countries. We are not a country that has one-on-one (relationship with one particular country). We will buy (arsenal from any country) which we think is good," noted Ryamizard.

Indonesia and South Korea signed an agreement worth US$1.3 billion in January for the development of new jet fighters.

Based on the agreement, which was signed by the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the Indonesian defense ministry, Indonesia will invest 1.6 trillion won (Rp13 trillion) in the Korea Fighter Experimental (KF-X/IF-X) jetfighter production.

Besides that, according to Minister Ryamizard, President Joko Widodo will visit Russia in the third week of May to participate in the Russia-ASEAN Summit and will witness the signing of an agreement to purchase eight 4.5-generation Sukhoi Su-35.

Speaking to journalists here on Tuesday, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu affirmed that the plan to purchase eight 4.5-generation Sukhoi Su-35 jet fighters was finalized after Indonesia bought 24 Sukhoi 27/30 aircraft.

Prior to his visit to Russia to attend the Russia-ASEAN Summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, President Widodo will visit South Korea. The two-nation tour will be undertaken on May 16-20.

According to Salim Mengga, a member of the House of Representatives' Commission I overseeing defense, foreign affairs and information, the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft was aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Indonesian Defense Force. (WDY)