Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has announced that the Philippine Department of National Defense has agreed to purchase 12 FA-50 fighter jets in a deal worth $700 million. Delivery of the aircraft is expected to be completed within the next five years.
The updated FA-50s will include critical upgrades like aerial refueling, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and a variety of advanced weapon systems. These capabilities aim to expand the reach and firepower of the Philippine Air Force.
The deal follows the loss of an FA-50 jet during a mission in Mindanao earlier this year, highlighting operational vulnerabilities. The Philippine Air Force previously acquired 12 FA-50s in 2014, making this new batch part of an ongoing airpower upgrade.
