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Philippines Orders 12 More FA-50 Fighter Jets in $700 Million Deal

The deal aims to strengthen the country’s air defense as it faces heightened maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

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This April 17, 2025, file photo, provided by the Air Force, shows an FA-50 fighter landing at an air base in the southwestern city of Gwangju. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • Korea Aerospace Industries signed on June 4 a 975.3 billion won ($700 million) contract to deliver 12 additional FA-50PH light attack fighters to the Philippine Department of National Defense.
  • The Philippines first acquired 12 FA-50s in 2014 and used them effectively in the 2017 Marawi operations and the multinational Pitch Black 2024 exercise.
  • The new FA-50PH models will feature extended range from aerial refueling, active electronically scanned array radars, armed air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground munitions.
  • The order raises the Philippine fleet to 24 FA-50s and includes follow-on logistics support with deliveries scheduled for completion by 2030.
  • The agreement follows a March crash in Mindanao and underscores Manila’s emergence as South Korea’s largest Southeast Asian defense export partner.