Indonesia, which did not pay fighter jet fees... caught this time sneaking out USB

KF-21 and Other Military Secrets Could Spark Diplomatic Issues
Some Fear Confidential Leaks as Nonpayment of Contributions Delays Time

An Indonesian employee dispatched to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) was caught attempting to take portable storage devices (USBs) outside the company. The National Intelligence Service, Counterintelligence Agency, and police are currently investigating, and if military secrets are involved, it could escalate into a diplomatic issue.

On the 17th, the domestically produced supersonic fighter jet KF-21 was unveiled at the 'Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to intelligence authorities on the 2nd, "One Indonesian technician was caught trying to take about eight USBs outside the company on the 17th of last month," adding, "The intelligence authorities are currently investigating and examining the data stored on the USBs and the number of times they were accessed."

South Korea is jointly developing the KF-21 with Indonesia. Since the project began in 2016, about 30 Indonesian technicians have been stationed at KAI's Sacheon factory. These personnel were dispatched to acquire aviation technology and share technology related to the KF-21. Intelligence authorities believe the documents contained on the USBs are in the form of daily reports prepared by the Indonesian technicians. There is a possibility that the contents of these documents include direct military secrets. The Indonesian technicians are currently known to be prohibited from leaving the country.

If the Indonesian technicians have leaked aviation-related confidential materials such as those related to the KF-21, it is bound to escalate into a diplomatic issue. Indonesia joined the joint development in January 2016 under conditions including bearing about 20% of the KF-21 development costs, approximately 1.7 trillion won (later reduced to 1.6245 trillion won) by June 2026, in exchange for receiving one prototype aircraft and various technical data. However, Indonesia has delayed payment of its share and has only paid 278.3 billion won to date.

Moreover, Indonesia has damaged trust by deciding to postpone the purchase of the French-made used fighter jets 'Mirage 2000-5,' which had recently been contracted with Qatar, in addition to the KF-21 project. Furthermore, Indonesia has raised suspicions by consecutively signing contracts to purchase other fighter jets besides the KF-21. The Indonesian government signed a contract in February 2022 to purchase 42 French-made 'Rafale' fighter jets, followed by an agreement last June to buy 12 used French-made 'Mirage 2000-5' fighter jets from Qatar for about 1 trillion won.

Since Prabowo Subianto, the Indonesian Minister of Defense who has led the arms contract discussions, is running as an opposition candidate in the presidential election, the results of next month's election are expected to be a turning point for resolving the KF-21 payment issue.

An intelligence official said, "Indonesia is buying foreign fighter jets while defaulting on its share payments," adding, "We need to closely watch whether they are trying to steal only core aviation technologies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.