Philippines Acquires 12 New FA-50 Block 70 Jets in $700M Deal with South Korea
Manila, The Gulf Observer: The Department of National Defense (DND) announced on Saturday the acquisition of 12 FA-50 Block 70 light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI), in a deal valued at over USD 700 million.
The contract, formalized earlier this month, includes a comprehensive package featuring mission equipment, integrated logistics support, as well as a training and logistics information system.
The FA-50 Block 70 represents the latest iteration of Korea’s light combat aircraft, boasting advanced avionics, modern radar systems, and an extended operational range. The DND emphasized that the acquisition is a major boost to the Philippines’ air defense capabilities and is in line with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.
“This acquisition underscores the Philippine government’s continued commitment to national defense and further deepens bilateral defense ties with South Korea,” the department said in a statement.
Aircraft deliveries will be phased over the next five years, with full delivery expected by 2030.
This is the second such procurement from KAI, following the earlier acquisition of 12 FA-50s under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program for PHP18.9 billion.
The Philippine Air Force confirmed that additional FA-50 acquisitions are part of Rehorizon 3, the next phase of the military’s modernization initiative.
