“The deal would mark a milestone for the KF-21 project that began in 2015 with a total development investment of 8.1 trillion won ($5.9 billion) to develop homegrown fighter jets. An additional 8.4 trillion won is expected to be spent on mass production between 2026 and 2028, making it the largest defense investment of its kind in Korean history.”
“Jakarta initially agreed to fund about 20 percent of the project in exchange for 48 IF-X aircraft, the Indonesian variant of the fighter jet, to be produced through technology transfer.”
“Also, the Southeast Asian nation’s renewed diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang has raised concerns in Seoul over the possible breach of sensitive technology related to the fighter jets.”
“Indonesia’s accumulated agreements constitute the largest defense deal in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region, with its total defense contracts reportedly amounting to as much as $4.3 billion.”