"It is for the two countries` progress and at the same time proof of how close the relations between Indonesia and South Korea are so that Indonesia can later learn from South Korea with regard to our efforts to become self-reliant," Purnomo said at a seminar on mutual development on defense industry cooperation here on Friday.
He said Indonesia could take South Korea as an example in how it has learned in stages from US defense industry in its efforts to develop its industry.
"And this is related to budget preparations by the government for the development of our defense power," he said.
Purnomo said "the budget has increased from time to time and it will affect development to achieve the `essential forces" level and it will be successful if we also develop our own defense industry."
He said the cooperation with South Korea was very important with regard to achieving self-reliance and the development of the nation`s power.
Indonesia and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of defense here on Friday. The signing was done by the Director General of Defense Potentials, Pos Hutabarat and South Korea`s Director of Forces Policy Lee Yong Dae and witnessed by Purnomo and his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-jin.
Based on the MOU the two countries would strengthen their defense cooperation so far especially in the field of defense industry.
In connection with that the two countries also agreed to conduct joint production and transfer of technology for landing platform dock (LPD) type ship building and submarine building through Indonesian state-owned ship building company PT PAL and Daewoo Shipbuilding.
Besides in the maritime field the two countries are also exploring possible cooperation in aviation industry such as production of KFX/IF-X fighter plane.
The two countries also explored purchase of T-50 fighter jet from South Korea and procurement of CN-235 by South Korea.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
