Image source: topwar.ru
Poland is purchasing South Korean FA-50 fighters, a framework agreement was signed in Warsaw on Wednesday, under which the Polish Air Force will receive three squadrons of new fighters produced by the South Korean corporation KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries).
According to the country's Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, South Korean fighters should replace Soviet MiG-29 fighters in the republic's Air Force, which are already outdated and in need of maintenance. According to him, it is easier for Poland to purchase aircraft on the side than to turn to Russia for technical assistance. In total, the Polish Air Force has 22 MiG-29A and six MiG-29UB fighters in service.
Blaszczak said.
According to available information, the first FA-50 fighters will enter service with the Polish Air Force next year. Polish pilots conducted test flights on these fighters, visiting South Korea for this purpose.
The fighter was developed by the South Korean corporation KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries), the Polish Air Force will receive a version of the FA-50PL with an onboard radar with AFAR, an overhead electron-optical container Sniper, AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and Link 16 data transmission equipment.