Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on June 3rd that it has signed a new export contract with the Philippine Department of Defense to deliver an additional 12 FA-50 light attack aircraft. This deal increases KAI’s total supply of FA-50 jets to 24 units for the Philippines.
The contract is valued at approximately US$700 million and includes aircraft supply as well as follow-up military support and maintenance services. The delivery is scheduled to be completed by 2030. The newly acquired FA-50PH fighters feature enhanced capabilities, including aerial refueling, AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems. These upgrades are expected to significantly boost the Philippines’ air combat and national defense capabilities.
This success builds on the strong foundation of the initial contract signed in 2014, when the Philippines purchased 12 FA-50PH fighters. Those aircraft were fully delivered by 2017 and played a vital role in missions such as the Marawi conflict in Mindanao, earning the aircraft the reputation of a “game changer” on the battlefield. Last year, the FA-50PHs participated in the ‘Pitch Black 2024’ military exercise in Australia, demonstrating their maneuverability, with KAI providing comprehensive maintenance support that resulted in a 100% operational rate and earning international trust.
The new deal with the Philippines exemplifies a successful collaboration among government agencies, military officials, diplomatic channels, and KAI’s local support team. Last year, the parties also signed a performance-based logistics (PBL) support agreement, laying a stable foundation for long-term maintenance and operation.
This latest export follows the shipment of 18 FA-50 jets to Malaysia at the end of 2023 and further solidifies the aircraft’s presence in the ASEAN market. As interest in FA-50 grows among other Southeast Asian neighboring countries, as well as in markets in Europe, the Middle East, and South America, the export success could accelerate KAI’s global reach.
In addition to the Philippines, KAI has exported FA-50 aircraft to Indonesia, Iraq, and Thailand. Indonesia, which has also adopted the T-50 and KT-1 training aircraft, is actively involved in co-developing the next-generation Korean fighter, KF-21. Recently, in March, Indonesia entrusted KAI with extending the service life of KT-1B aircraft, marking the first overseas aircraft performance upgrade project.
KAI CEO Kang Goo-young stated, “FA-50 has already established itself as a trusted platform in the Asian market. We will continue to expand partnerships with existing clients like the Philippines and strengthen our position in the global defense industry through tailored upgrades and ongoing support.”
