Without disclosing the number of aircraft, the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said FA-50 took part in the Air Show Radom, a two-day airshow that started on August 26, to target the European market. This is the second time the South Korean fighter jet made an official flight in Europe, after its first flight at Poland's Armed Forces Day event on August 15.
The South Korean aircraft maker struck a $3 billion deal with Poland in September 2022 to sell 48 FA-50s to the European country. After delivering 12 units of the fighter jets by the end of 2023, the KAI will send the rest 36 after customizing them in accordance with the Polish Air Force's request.
FA-50s will be used as the main aircraft for combat missions by the Polish Air Force, replacing its current MiG-29 fighter jets. The upgraded version "FA-50PL" also incorporates an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar-based detection and aerial refueling capabilities. An AESA can electronically steer the beam of radio waves to point in different directions.
In February 2023, Malaysia also signed a $920 million deal to buy 18 units of FA-50. The fighter jet was selected as the preferred bidder by Malaysia's defense ministry among six light fighters including Russia's MiG-35, Turkey's Hurizet, and India's Tejas.
At the air show held in east-central Poland, the KAI also presented other products such as light-armed helicopters and NI-500VT, an unmanned aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
