Reluctant to let Indonesia go despite payment arrears, South Korea seems to
have strong reasons for wanting to continue the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet
project.
Not only do they want to make advanced fighter aircraft, apparently the
KF-21 Boramae project which is being worked on with Indonesia can feed many
South Koreans.
According to news from The Korea Times, South Korean President Moon Jae-in
visited Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang
Province, Friday, April 9, 2021, revealing his country's goal of developing
the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet with Indonesia.
"The government seeks to become one of the top seven aviation powerhouses in
the 2030s and will strengthen the country's technological independence in
aircraft engines and other core technologies," Moon said.
"Also, the government will make long-term investments into technologies for
electric or hydrogen aircraft and urban air mobility," he continued.
According to the South Korean government, 719 Korean businesses have
participated in the development of the KF-21.
About 65 percent of the more than 30,000 parts used in the prototype
aircraft are made in Korea, and the Defense Acquisition Program
Administration and KAI plan to increase this percentage.
The government estimates the project has created USD 146 million won in
economic effects and 12,000 jobs from 2016 to 2020.
When it enters mass production, 100,000 new jobs will be created and 410
mrillion won of additional value will be generated, according to the
government.
Not surprisingly, even though Indonesia was in arrears in payments, South
Korea was still trying to approach the Unitary State of the Republic of
Indonesia.
In fact, Indonesia and South Korea have agreed to renegotiate the payment
for the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet project which was delayed in November
2021.
Based on a quote from Hankyoreh, according to DAPA officials, payment
options for Indonesia are diverse, including military equipment, ordinary
products, underground resources, and others.
The official added that details regarding the types and quantities of
certain items would be discussed at a later date.
Even if Indonesia decides to pay with natural resources, no agreement that
will harm domestic importers will be signed.
"For example, if palm oil is used to pay for a project, then this can be
sold abroad without having to pay to enter South Korea first," the official
said.
After renegotiating the payment for the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet with
Indonesia, DAPA Commissioner Eun-Ho Kang, said he was very satisfied with
his team's achievements.
"When the renegotiation of the contribution to the construction of the
Korea-Indonesia KF-21 was reached on the 11th of last month (November 2021),
Commissioner Kang Eun-ho said, 'I am 120% satisfied'," wrote South Korean
media SBS News.
In contrast to DAPA officials who are happy to receive Indonesian palm oil
for payment for the KF-21 Boramae, the South Korean people actually view
this as an embarrassing negotiation. This is like the article published by
Hankook Ilbo on November 23, 2021.
"Palm oil as raw material for cooking oil is mainly used for frying snacks
such as prawn crackers.
This raises the question of how to bring 480 billion won worth of palm oil
to Korea and digest it.
Moreover, palm oil is not a 'healthy oil' because it contains a lot of
saturated fatty acids. There is an opinion that it is better to import
bananas from Indonesia.
As if aware of this, an official from DAPA emphasized, 'There is a way to
sell palm oil overseas through domestic trading companies rather than
receiving it in the market'," wrote Hankook Ilbo in his article.
Not only that, the South Korean media also considered this an embarrassing
negotiation in the eyes of the South Korean people.
"However, in the eyes of the general public, there is a high probability
that it will be considered a 'shameful negotiation'," wrote Hankook Ilbo.
Although there are many disputes regarding the payment of the arrears of the
KF-21 Boramae costs with Indonesian palm oil, it seems that South Korea is
very dependent on the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
According to data from The JoongAng, in its article published on January 23,
2022, the South Korean media mentioned the development of the KF-21 Boramae
Indonesia and South Korea.
One more step, the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet, which is a collaboration
between Indonesia and South Korea, will fly immediately.
In fact, the Indonesian and South Korean KF-21 Boramae fighter jets, which
are currently conducting a series of tests, are scheduled to fly for the
first time in June 2022.
Not only plans to fly for the first time, the KF-21 Boramae Indonesia and
South Korea also attracted attention when exhibited indoors.
"This year, we will start a full-scale test maneuver for the KF-21," The
JoongAng wrote in its article.
"From the end of June, full test flights will begin.
Initially the initial flight test was scheduled to start in July, but the
assembly process and preparation for the flight test went smoothly, so the
schedule was pushed forward.
The reason KAI is advancing the flight test schedule is to secure as much
time as possible," wrote The JoongAng.
Although the KF-21 Boramae made in Indonesia and South Korea seems to be
running smoothly, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) seems to be bearing the
moral burden.
"KAI alone bears the burden of maintaining and utilizing the fighter
aircraft engineers who participated in the development of the KF-21.
1,600 Korean engineers participated in the construction, but if the basic
construction was completed sooner or later, they would lose their jobs.
In this case, it is said that the fighter development personnel who trained
South Korea for the first time will definitely be killed," wrote The
JoongAng in his article.
