FA-50 'Fighting Eagle'
Fighter-Lead-In-Trainer / Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA)
Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd (KAI), South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, announced 24 February 2023 it had won a 1.2 trillion-won (US$920 million) light combat aircraft deal from Malaysia, with the delivery set to begin in 2026. KAI signed the deal with the Malaysian defence ministry to supply 18 FA-50 Block 20 light attack aircraft, beating India’s Tejas, Pakistan’s JF-17, Russia’s MiG-35 and Turkey’s Hurjet, the company said in a statement.
It was the fourth KAI aircraft deal with a Southeast Asian country after Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, the statement said. The FA-50 is the most advanced version of the KAI T-50 aircraft, possessing more internal fuel capacity, enhanced avionics, a longer radome, and a tactical datalink. The Block 20 has the capability to conduct beyond-visual-range air-to-air missions, carrying munitions such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
There are differences between the FA-50 operated by ROKAF and the Block 20 exported to Malaysia and Poland. The difference is the Korean version operated by Rokaf does not have the AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar; it has the conventional radar. It also does not have the targeting pod and refuelling system. So the exported version (Block 20) is the most updated, upgraded newest version of FA-50.
With the latest deal, KAI had exported 68 KT-1 basic trainers and T-50 advanced trainer jets, as well as FA-50 aircraft, to Southeast Asian markets. The airframe maker also expected to win a deal to provide another batch of 18 FA-50s to Malaysia as the Southeast Asian country’s service requirement for the Fighter Lead-In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft programme also called for a second, almost identical order. According to the plan, the aircraft will also undergo a mid-life upgrade programme to ensure its operational capability until 2055. The FA-50M aircraft to be acquired by the RMAF is the most modern and capable variant, the FA-50 Block 20, compared to other variants acquired by other countries including South Korea and several countries in Southeast Asia.
The signing of the Letter of Acceptance between representatives of the Government of Malaysia and KAI was held today at Wisma Pertahanan (Defence Ministry). Ministry Secretary General Muez Abd Aziz along with KAI Chief Executive Officer KAI, KANG Goo Young signed the Letter of Acceptance (LoA / SST). Also present was Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force Gen Jung Sanghwa who had earlier met his Malaysian counterpart Gen Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan at the Defence Ministry during his visit.
Six companies submitted bids to supply 18 light combat aircraft (LCA) to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in the tender. The contract for one squadron (18 planes) of LCA is said to be valued at around RM4 billion, with half of the amount to be paid via counter trade involving crude palm oil or palm oil products. It was earlier reported that nine companies acquired the tender documents, the RFP (request for proposal) was in July, and six bids were received by the closing date on Oct 6, 2021.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) partnered with local company Kemalak Systems Sdn Bhd to offer the FA 50 light combat aircraft; Turkey Aerospace Industries, offering its LCA known as Hürjet; China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp (CATIC), with its L-15 fighter; Italy’s Leonardo, with its M-346 fighter attack / trainer; India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, with its Tejas LCA; and Aerospace Technology Systems Corp Sdn Bhd which offered the MiG-35.
Taurus Systems, the German defence firm is set to develop a long-range cruise missile for the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to enhance its lethality and increase its export prospects. According to Taurus Systems’ Korea office, Taurus is almost done with the preliminary development process of the KEPD 350K missile presently used to arm Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15K fighters.
The company inked a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s LIG Nex1 for a joint venture to develop the missile together as part of an effort to beef up KAI export chances with an additional option for standoff missiles. Dubbed the KEPD 350K-2, it is hoped to pack the same punch as the larger 350K despite being developed into a smaller sized weapon.
Christopher Drevstad, president of Taurus Systems Korea stated that the missile will likely be developed within three year’s time and subsequently begin production. The missile is a “bunker busting” bomb that uses a global positioning system (GPS)-based receiver and anti-jamming module with a range of 500km. The new 350K-2 will share the same range and capabilities of its predecessor while running independent navigation systems immune to GPS jamming.
He added that the KEPD 350K-2 would be a highly feasible weapon for the KF-16 fighter jets in order to strengthen ROKAF firepower. With the ROKAF fleet of 60 F-15Ks set to be upgraded in a USD2.73 billion project between 2024 to 2034, encompassing new radar systems and electronic warfare upgrades, the use of KEPD 350K missiles on the platform would be limited. Hence, the possibility of arming KF-16s or other ROKAF jets with the missile would ensure ROKAF fighter availability at all times.
As part of the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) with the government, 14 of the FA-50 Block 20 aircraft will undergo their final assembly in Malaysia. Another four of the fighter aircraft will be assembled in South Korea.
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