Korea has signed a multi－billion dollar contract on its homegrown fighter jet project.
Code－named K－FX，... it′s Korea′s largest weapons development project that aims
to produce scores of fighter jets within the next 15 years.
But， there are stumbling blocks along the way.
Our Connie Kim joins us from Seoul′s defense ministry.
Connie， half a year we waited for this signing to happen － what does this contract mean？
″Conn－young， with Korea′s Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the
nation′s only aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries signing a contract on Monday afternoon，
Seoul will push ahead to develop its first indigenous fighter jets.
Under the pact， the country hopes to produce 120 homegrown mid－tier fighter jets by 2032
to replace its aging fleet of F－4s and F－5s.
The contract signing of the nation′s largest weapons development project was delayed six
months than originally planned.
″Negotiations with Indonesia delayed the signing and there were changes in domestic
developments which needed to be reflected.″
20－percent of the 15－billion dollar fighter jet program will be invested by Indonesia
based on a deal signed with Korea Aerospace Industries.
Participating in design process and component production， Jakarta will in turn receive
one prototype plane and technological data from Korea.
With the signing of the contract taking place later than planned， production of six test
planes is expected to be completed by 2026.
In January， a task force team of 70 to 80 officials and experts will be launched.
However， development of Korea′s first indigenous fighter jet will have to overcome
several hurdles yet.
It needs to develop four core technologies including the active electronically scanned
radar as the U.S. barred Lockheed Martin from transferring those technologies to Seoul in
April.
Although the U.S. government approved the transfer of the remaining 21 technologies
this month，... concerns remain， as Korea may not receive a number of specific sub－technologies
needed for the project.
″Other lingering concerns are that the government budget for the KF－X project has been cut
to about 57 million dollars next year and that the fighter jet development timeline
has been pushed back，... making it hard to recoup investment.
Conn－young？″
Connie Kim reporting from the Ministry of National Defense.
Thank you indeed.