"(Bilateral negotiations) are in the finalizing stage," Kim Si-cheol, spokesman for the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said at a press briefing. "The result is possible for early next week."





Indonesia previously agreed with South Korea last month to shoulder 20 percent of the cost for the Korean Fighter Experimental (KF-X), intended to produce home-grown combat jets by 2025. With the investment, Indonesia will take home 50 new planes.

The latest negotiations will determine specifics of the partnership including financial terms and other responsibilities.

After landing the deal, the DAPA plans to kick off the project.

The local project has been stalled after the U.S. refused to approve the transfer of four key fighter jet technologies that U.S.-based defense firm Lockheed Martin had offered for the project.

The four technologies are part of the total 25 aviation technologies the U.S. has offered in an offset deal linked to South Korea's purchase of 40 F-35 Lightning II jets last year.

For the transfer of the remaining 21 technologies, South Korea is currently in discussions with the U.S. firm in Seoul, Kim said.

The negotiations will last till Friday, but nothing tangible has been determined yet, he said.

Previously, Lockheed Martin officials said they anticipate the U.S. government will approve the transfer of the 21 technologies in the near future in an interview with Yonhap News Agency.