KAI Continues Strong Defense Ties With Philippines

• KAI signs contract with Department of National Defense of the Republic, Philippines
• Korea Aerospace Industries will be responsible for the delivery of twelve FA-50PH fighting Eagle Block 20 jet fighters
• This order is expected to be fulfilled in the year 2030

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has announced that it has signed a contract with the Philippines Department of National Defense of the Republic. According to the signed contract, the Philippines have ordered twelve FA-50PH fighting Eagle Block 20 jet fighters. This contract is valued at USD 700 million. This will include the logistics and training support services.

The new FA-50PH jets will be equipped with innovative active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. This is an aerial refueling probe compatible with flexible hose systems, and a broader range of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions. It is speculated that this specific radar will include the RTX PhantomStrike or LIG Nex1 ESR-500A.

The final delivery of the order is estimated to happen in the year 2030. This will increase the total number of FA-50PH fighters operated by the Philippine Air Force to 23.  The first proposal was placed in the year 2014 for twelve jets. The delivery of this jet was expected to happen between 2015 and 2017. The first combat was received in the year 2017.  Since then, the aircraft has been used in multiple ground-attack missions.

This past contract and delivery, the quality of the combat jets has again made the present contract happen between the two countries.