{"id":2201587,"date":"2023-07-04T18:09:17","date_gmt":"2023-07-04T09:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201587"},"modified":"2023-07-05T17:30:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T08:30:54","slug":"how-a-payment-dispute-with-indonesia-puts-seouls-defense-export-goals-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/07\/how-a-payment-dispute-with-indonesia-puts-seouls-defense-export-goals-at-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"How a payment dispute with Indonesia puts Seoul\u2019s defense export goals at risk"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea is confronting a growing chasm of distrust with Indonesia, centered around a key joint defense project: the KF-21 fighter jet program. The Southeast Asian nation\u2019s <\/span>failure to present a payment timetable<\/span><\/a>, as pledged, for its $1.3 billion share of the project\u2019s cost is causing concern in Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n Indonesia\u2019s recent agreements to purchase <\/span>42 French Rafale fighter jets<\/span><\/a> for $8.1 billion and <\/span>12 used Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets<\/span><\/a> from Qatar for $792 million has raised further questions about its commitment to the KF-21 program, with the future of the joint project in doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n The KF-21, which Seoul has dubbed a <\/span>4.5-generation fighter jet<\/span><\/a>, is a niche platform whose success is vital for the ROK\u2019s plans to become one of the world\u2019s top-four weapons suppliers. However, South Korea will likely find it difficult to amplify pressure on Indonesia for the overdue payments.<\/span><\/p>\n