Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has held a roll-out ceremony for the first of 48 FA-50 light combat aircraft under order by the Polish government.
The event, conducted at the company’s headquarters in Sacheon, marked a significant achievement for KAI as the warplane was released within just eight months of the contract signing.
According to the South Korean firm, the reduced manufacturing duration proves the company has the expertise and advanced technologies to deliver the product quickly.
“The roll-out ceremony is meaningful as this is the first chance to disclose the actual aircraft that remained on the drawing to the general public,” KAI stated in a press release.
“[It illustrates] the commitment to protect the sovereign airspace of Poland and the Republic of Korea, and the amicable relationship between the two nations.”
The first Polish FA-50 will undergo flight tests in July and be handed over to Warsaw in August.
The first 12 FA-50s are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2023.
Supporting Modernization
In September 2022, Poland signed a $13.7-billion agreement with South Korea for 48 FA-50s to upgrade the country’s fleet of combat aircraft.
Referred to as a “Gap Filler,” the first FA-50 will be used to fill Warsaw’s strategic air defense needs, replacing aging fighter jets in the Polish Air Force inventory.
According to Polish Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, the speedy release of the first aircraft means that the country will now be able to equip itself with more advanced military capabilities.
