Purchase of 20 TA-50 Block 2 Aircraft as Air Force Trainers

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu]The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that it has signed a purchase contract for the second phase of the tactical introduction trainer project with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the 'TA-50 Block2.'

On the 30th, DAPA reportedly signed a contract worth 688.3 billion KRW with KAI for 20 units of the TA-50 Block2. The operational deployment is expected to be completed in 2024.

The tactical introduction trainer is an aircraft used by combat pilots to master tactical missions such as weapons and radar operation before being assigned to a combat flying squadron. Compared to the existing TA-50, which is currently operated as a tactical introduction trainer, the TA-50 Block2 has improved steering functions and night mission capabilities.

Once the TA-50 Block2 is fully introduced, only domestically developed aircraft will be used in the training courses necessary for Air Force pilot training. Currently, there is a KF-16 flight training course.

The pilot training process consists of the introductory course (KT-100), basic course (KT-1), advanced course (T-50), and tactical introduction course (TA-50).

DAPA explained that this contract is expected to contribute to economic revitalization by generating a production inducement effect of 1.9636 trillion KRW and creating 8,893 jobs.

Meanwhile, the T-50 series aircraft began exports with 16 units of the T-50I to Indonesia in 2011 (400 million USD), followed by 24 units of the T-50IQ to Iraq in 2013 (1 billion USD), and 13 units of the FA-50 to the Philippines in 2014 (400 million USD).