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.