TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The government is investigating whether an engineer at defense contractor Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) leaked confidential information about an indigenous jet project, reports said Friday (Sept. 27).

An employee dissatisfied with frequent overtime work posted pictures on Instagram of work on indigenous airplanes, per the Liberty Times. However, his posts accidentally revealed problems with the No. 1110 Brave Eagle Advanced Jet Trainer produced by the AIDC in 2022.

The Air Force reported problems with excessive noise and tremors in the cockpit to AIDC, so the plane was returned to the company for repairs. Even though the engineer did not reveal any secrets, his behavior amounted to a grave violation of work discipline, meaning he would face action, AIDC said. The engineer had damaged the company’s image and reputation, and caused public concern, according to AIDC.

The Air Force ordered 66 Brave Eagles from AIDC, with 36 already delivered. The aircraft needing repairs was the last of eight delivered during 2022. All the training jets were scheduled to be based at Zhihang Air Base in Taitung County.

Asked about the issue at the Legislative Yuan Friday, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said the investigation into possible security leaks was proceeding, Radio Taiwan International reported. If any evidence of an intelligence breach was found, the matter would be dealt with under the Classified National Security Information Protection Act, he said.