Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Suh Wook, in Seoul on Thursday during which both were on the same page to intensify bilateral military cooperation.

The minister undertook a visit to South Korea for a ceremony to roll out the first prototype of Korea's indigenous fighter jet.

According to a statement by Indonesia's Defense Ministry, the delegations held discussions on key issues in defense and security as well as exchanged views on regional security and bilateral cooperation.

Subianto noted that bilateral cooperation in the defense industry is envisioned to have a positive contribution not only for both nations but also for regional peace, security, and stability.

The minister believes huge opportunities exist in the area of defense cooperation to build mutual trust.

"On behalf of the (Indonesian) government, I laud the support and contribution of the government and people of South Korea in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia," he stated.

On April 27, 2020, South Korea delivered 10 thousand PCR swab test kits as aid, through its defense industry institution, to bolster COVID-19 handling efforts in Indonesia.

According to Subianto, South Korea is among the countries to have successfully addressed the pandemic situation through the application of swift, accurate and efficient policies that had been supported by its people.

Indonesia has planned to acquire some South Korean military hardware, including the KT-1B Wong Bee turboprop basic training aircraft, supersonic advanced jet trainers, T-50 Golden Eagle light combat aircraft, and Changbo-Go class submarine.

Presence of the Changbo-Go class submarine, a variant of the type 212/214 developed by Germany, would enable Indonesia to become the only ASEAN country to develop a submarine.

Some South Korean military equipment granted to Indonesia comprised 10 assault amphibious vehicle LVT-7 that were earlier deployed by the South Korean Marine Corps.

Moreover, Indonesia and South Korea have agreed on a joint-development project for jet fighters, the Korean Fighter Xperiment/Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KFX/IFX).

Under the agreement inked in 2016, Indonesia will bear 20 percent of the funding in the project worth US$7.8 billion, wherein 125 KFX will be built for South Korea and 51 IFX would be manufactured for Indonesia. Related news: Indonesia, S Korea explore greater cooperation in transportation
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
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