Minister Of Defense Prabowo: Indonesia Ready To Strengthen Defense Cooperation With South Korea

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto during an honorary visit to South Korea.

JAKARTA - Minister Of Defense Prabowo Subianto says he is ready to build stronger defense cooperation with South Korea. This was revealed by Prabowo in a discussion with South Korean Minister of Defense, Suh Wook, in Seoul, Thursday, April 8.

He led the Indonesian delegation on a visit to South Korea while his honorary visit to Suh Wook was greeted by a military ceremony. The two countries agreed to strengthen military cooperation that has been going well.

This bilateral defense meeting of the two delegations discussed and exchanged views on several strategic matters in the field of defense and security, including the exchange of regional security views and bilateral cooperation.

Prabowo hopes that Indonesia-South Korea bilateral relations in the field of defense can make a positive contribution, not only to the national interests of the two countries, but also to maintain regional security, peace, and stability.

He also sees that there are still many opportunities for defense cooperation that need to be explored together, especially to build mutual trust and enhance defense industry cooperation.

"On behalf of the government, I appreciate the support and contribution from the Korean government and people in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia", Prabowo was reported by Antara.

On April 27, 2020, South Korea provided 10,000 PCR swab test devices to the Ministry of Defense through South Korea's defense industry institutions, assisting Indonesia in handling Covid-19.

Prabowo explained that South Korea is one of the most successful countries in the world in tackling this problem, with a fast, accurate, and efficient policy, as well as support from the People of South Korea.

From South Korea, there are several acquired military systems, namely the KT-1B Wong Bee training turboprop aircraft, the T-50 Golden Eagle's multi-role T-50 jet, a Changbo-Go-class submarine. Besides, there is some war equipment that South Korea gave to Indonesia, among them 10 LVT-7 amphibious combat vehicles originally used by the South Korean Marine Corps.

Especially on Changbo-Go class submarines which are "derivatives" of the German-made Type 212/214, the presence of this submarine makes Indonesia the only ASEAN country capable of building submarines from its components.

Also, with South Korea, there is a joint design and manufacturing program of 4.5 generation fighter aircraft with KFX stealth technology in collaboration with Indonesia, with IFX designation. The $ 7.8 billion cooperation contract was signed in 2016, Indonesia covered 20 percent of its financing.

According to the cooperation scheme, 125 KFX units will be built for South Korea and 51 IFX units will be built for Indonesia. Along the way, there was a dynamic even though South Korea completed the construction phase of several KFX prototype units (commonly written KF-X) to be thoroughly tested before being certified and mass-produced.

The entire acquisition program, grants, and cooperation of Indonesia's defense industry with South Korea were initiated, started, and completed during the administration of President Susilo Yudhoyono which laid the direction of the achievement of MEF I, II, and III.