On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced the signing of a contract worth approximately 975.3 billion KRW / 700 million USD with the Department of National Defense of the Philippines for the production and delivery of 12 FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Block 20 light combat aircraft, with deliveries scheduled by 2030. The purchase plan and the start of negotiations with the manufacturer were announced by the authorities in Manila on January 20 of this year.
Photo: Korea Aerospace Industries
KAI President Kang Gu-young stated that the FA-50 is a proven model in the Asian market, and the Philippines’ stable operational experience over the past 10 years is a strong encouragement for this additional purchase.
The purchase was originally estimated by the Philippine side at 681 million USD and will be carried out under the modernization program codenamed Re-Horizon 3 (Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, RAFPMP).
In addition, as announced in January of this year, an upgrade of the aircraft already in service is planned, through four separate procurement procedures worth approximately 5.612 billion PHP, with the inclusion of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
In December 2024, KAI also signed its first Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) agreement for exported aircraft. This will enable the establishment of a stable operational system, leading to improved aircraft readiness and reduced maintenance costs through long-term support and the supply of spare parts.
The first 12 FA-50PH aircraft in the Block 10 version were selected by the Philippines in August 2012, with the contract signed on March 28, 2014, valued at 420 million USD. The first aircraft was test-flown in June 2015 and delivered to the customer on November 27 of the same year. Deliveries of all ordered units were completed by May 31, 2017. In the Philippine Air Force (Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas), they serve as light attack aircraft and for Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LiFT) roles. On March 4 of this year, one aircraft was lost in a crash during close air support operations for ground forces in an anti-terrorist mission in the southern part of the country against communist insurgents.
Photo: Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas
For the FA-50 Block 20, the manufacturer offers a new AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar called the ESR-500A, with the American PhantomStrike from RTX as an alternative — the latter will be installed in the Polish FA-50PL variant.
The FA-50 Block 20 will be capable of aerial refueling and will be integrated with a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry.
Prior to the latest contract with the Philippines, KAI had produced 219 aircraft of the T-50/T-50B/TA-50/FA-50 family, delivered to the air forces of five countries, including Indonesia (14 T-50i + 8 on order), Iraq (24 T-50IQ), Poland (12 FA-50GF Block 10 and 36 FA-50PL Block 20 on order), and Thailand (14 T-50TH + 2 on order). The largest number—143 units—serve in the South Korean armed forces.
Existing orders cover an additional 83 aircraft, including 18 FA-50M Block 20 on order for Malaysia. Countries that considered but did not proceed with procurement include Argentina, Uzbekistan, Israel, and Taiwan. As of late 2023, KAI was offering the aircraft in Colombia and on an undisclosed market—possibly Peru, which, according to a July 1, 2024 report, is negotiating the purchase of 20 to 24 units. Ireland has also reportedly shown interest; although it currently lacks a combat air force, it has been exploring the possibility of establishing one since 2020.