TSAMTO, July 12. On July 10, Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak announced the delivery to Poland of the first pair of FA-50GF (Gap Filler) light combat aircraft ordered in the Republic of Korea for the country's Air Force.
According to the minister, they will replace post-Soviet equipment and strengthen the combat potential of the Air Force.
As reported by TSAMTO, on September 16, 2022, the Polish Ministry of Defense concluded two executive contracts with the South Korean company Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the purchase of FA-50 light combat aircraft for the country's Air Force.
The subject of the first contract worth about $705 million. It is the delivery of 12 FA-50 light combat aircraft in a configuration similar to that ordered by the Republic of Korea Air Force, along with training, logistics and technical support packages. The aircraft are to be delivered to the Polish Air Force in the second half of 2023, and deliveries of all components will be completed by the end of 2025.
The subject of the second contract in the amount of about $ 2.3 billion. It is the delivery of 36 FA-50PL light combat aircraft with training, logistics and technical support packages. These aircraft will be made in a configuration that meets the specific requirements of the Polish Air Force. Deliveries will begin in 2025 and will be completed by the end of 2028. Later, the first 12 delivered FA-50s will be upgraded to the FA-50PL standard.
The rollout of the first FA-50GF took place on June 7, 2023 at the KAI enterprise in Sacheon.
According to KAI, the FA-50PL will be upgraded, including an increase in flight range due to the air refueling function, equipping with an improved radar with an active antenna array with electronic scanning, as well as an expanded package of air-to-surface and air-to-air weapons.
The FA-50s purchased in the Republic of Korea are compatible with the F-16C/D Block aircraft previously purchased by the Polish Air Force.52.+ and contracted fifth-generation F-35A aircraft. It is assumed that the FA-50s will complement the fleet of existing F-16s and, together with 32 F-35A Lightning-2 fighters, will replace the MiG-29 and Su-22 in service.
