TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Defense Ministry on Thursday confirmed that it is currently in the process of procuring six T-50i Golden Eagle trainer jets from South Korea that is worth US$240 million with the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Penny Radjendra, on Thursday said that the order of six Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT) is a follow up to an existing partnership with the same company.

The partnership between the Indonesian Defense Ministry and KAI, he explained, began back in 2014 when Indonesia received the first batch of 16 Golden Eagles. He asserts that the deal had been made while optimizing the use of domestic industrial components and strengthening the domestic strategic industry.

“This is to meet the demands and needs of the Indonesian Air Force and in 2021 the Defense Ministry has continued the partnership and the additional six T-50i with KAI,” said Radjendra on July 22, Antaranews reported.

He added that this is considered essential to produce future Indonesian fighter jet pilots for the mission of “maintaining the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) from Sabang to Merauke,” he said.

Previously, the Indonesian government was reported to have received an agreement to purchase six T-50 trainer jets made by Korea Aerospace Industries Co (KAI). The value of the agreement is said to reach USD 240 million. Under the agreement, KAI will supply six T-50 advanced trainer aircraft to the Indonesian Air Force from December 16, 2021 to October 30, 2024.

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ANTARA