Trigger happy over the T-50

South Korean publications are abuzz with a press pickup that Indonesia will buy 16 KAI T-50 advanced jet trainer aircraft to replace its aging BAE Hawks. The apparent source of the news was a story from Indonesian publisher Seputar Indonesia, quoting Indonesian Air Force chief of staff Imam Sufaat.

Unfortunately no amount of searching on Seputar's website produces an article mentioning the T-50, let alone the air force chief committing to a 16 aircraft purchase. There is also nothing about this on Antara or in the Indonesian papers.

The Korean reports also say that the Korean government has not heard anything about a purchase, and a KAI executive tells FlightGlobal that he has heard nothing. 

Hmmm...

If nothing else, the Korean press's eagerness to pickup this vague hint of news belies the sense of urgency around winning an overseas customer for the high profile T-50. The aircraft has no overseas wins after losing out to the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 in the United Arab Emirates (though this deal seems to be in limbo), and in Singapore.

Despite a strange incident in January allegedly involving South Korean spies in an Indonesian defence delegation's hotel room, KAI and the T-50 would appear to be in a strong position. South Korea's air force and coast guard operate C-235's made by Indonesia Aerospace, and at Farnborough last year Korea and Indonesia signed an MOU to work on the KF-X project - although Indonesia's commitment to this project could be in doubt.

Watch this space.