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PAF: PH air defense gets upgrade with purchase of more FA-50 aircraft

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
June 5, 2025, 11:14 am

MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the acquisition of 12 additional units of FA-50 fighter jets highlights the country's commitment to boosting its air defense.

"The FA-50PH has proven its versatility and reliability in various operations, and this expansion underscores the Philippines' commitment to modernizing its defense forces and strengthening regional security," the PAF's 5th Fighter Wing said in a social media post on Wednesday night.

The 5th Fighter Wing is the unit tasked to supervise all fighter jet operations of the Air Force.

Under its supervision is the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which operates the 11 FA-50PHs acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) from 2015 to 2017 for PHP18.9 billion.

Originally 12 in number, one of the FA-50PHs, with tail number 002, crashed on March 4 in Bukidnon while en route to provide firepower to Army soldiers fighting New People's Army rebels. Both pilots were killed in the mishap.

This project is under Horizon 1 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program which ran from 2013 to 2017.

Aside from this, the FA-50PHs are tasked with air defense missions and maritime patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea.

"This USD700 million agreement includes not only the aircraft but also comprehensive logistics support. The new FA-50PH units are expected to feature significant upgrades, such as air-to-air refueling capability, advanced radar systems, and enhanced weapon integration, with deliveries scheduled by 2030," it added.

South Korean business news website ChosunBiz reported that the Philippines and KAI on June 3 signed a contract for the delivery of 12 FA-50s from 2026 to 2030.

The contract, worth 1 trillion Korean won (around USD700 million dollars or PHP40 billion), was signed by ranking officials of the Department of National Defense (DND) and KAI on June 3, according to a report by business news website ChosunBiz.

Earlier, the PAF said proposals to acquire additional FA-50s are under the Rehorizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program. (PNA)