Philippines to Purchase Additional FA-50 Fighters Worth 1 Trillion KRW

Export Achieved Two Years After Malaysia Deal
FA-50PH Becomes Core Asset of Philippine Air Force

The additional export of the domestically produced multi-role fighter FA-50 to the Philippines has been finalized. This is the first successful export of the FA-50 since the contract in May 2023 to supply 18 units to Malaysia, marking a return after about two years.

According to the defense industry on June 4, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract with the Philippine Department of National Defense on June 2 to supply 12 FA-50 units. The contract is reportedly valued at $700 million (approximately 1 trillion KRW).

The Philippines had previously decided to purchase 12 FA-50 units in March 2014. The FA-50PH, a Philippine-customized version of the FA-50, is currently regarded as a core asset of the Philippine Air Force. The decision to introduce additional units after 11 years is interpreted as a reflection of the Philippine Air Force's high evaluation of the FA-50's capabilities.

Previously, Cho Changrae, Director General for National Defense Policy at the Ministry of National Defense, held talks with Ignacio Madriaga, Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of National Defense, on the sidelines of the 22nd Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore from May 31 for two days. During the meeting, he expressed his appreciation for the Philippines' de facto decision to procure additional FA-50 units.

Currently, countries operating the FA-50 include the Philippines, Malaysia, Poland, and Iraq. The FA-50 is a multi-role fighter adapted from the T-50 advanced trainer, which was jointly developed by KAI and Lockheed Martin. Indonesia and Thailand are also operating T-50 series aircraft.