PH orders 12 more Korean fighter jets for $700M

A Philippine Air Force FA-50 (left) and US Air Force F-16 fighter jet (right) fly in formation during the US-Philippines joint air force military exercise dubbed “Cope Thunder” at Basa Air Base in Pampanga on April 11, 2024. —Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has signed a $700 million (P39 billion) deal with South Korean defense firm Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) for the procurement of another 12 FA-50 light combat aircraft, as reported by some South Korean news agencies.

Although the reports have yet to be confirmed by the Department of National Defense, Shin Dong-hak, KAI vice president for international business development, told the Inquirer the deal was for the FA-50 Block 20/70, the latest and most capable variant of the fighter jet.

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Its features include weapon enhancements for air-to-ground and air-to-air missions and aerial refueling for extended range. Shin said that delivery of the light fighters will start in mid-2028 and be completed by 2030.

The deal signed on June 3 will be the second round of FA-50 exports from KAI to the Philippines after the Aquino administration procured 12 FA-50 fighter jets in 2014 for P18.9 billion. —Nestor Corrales, Frances Mangosing