AirAsia Pacific

Philippines to Double FA-50 Supersonic Fighter Jet Fleet

The Philippines is considering the purchase of 12 more FA-50 Fighting Eagle supersonic combat aircraft from South Korea.

The potential 40-billion Philippine peso ($683.7 million) deal would double Manila’s FA-50 fleet, which has been in service since the early 2010s.

The plan was revealed by the Philippine Department of Defense through a Procurement Monitoring Report published in early January, local news outlet Inquirer reported.

Manila and Seoul are now discussing the terms for the foreign military sale, and contract finalization is expected by mid-2025.

The Philippine Air Force’s existing FA-50s were acquired for 18.9 billion pesos ($323 million) and have been effective solutions during a 2017 conflict between Manila’s armed forces and militants associated with the Islamic State in Marawi City, Mindanao.

FA-50 Fighting Eagle

Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, the FA-50 has an airframe measuring 13 meters (43 feet) long and a wingspan of 9 meters (31 feet).

It is armed with a 20-millimeter gun, guided bombs, and air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.

The jet is powered by a General Electric turbofan engine for speeds up to Mach 1.5 (1,852 kilometers/1,151 miles per hour).

A Philippine Air Force FA-50PH taxis on the flightline before a flight during exercise Cope Thunder at Clark Air Base, Philippines, May 11, 2023. By strengthening alliances and partnerships with key Allies like the Philippines, the U.S. creates a networked security architecture capable of deterring aggression, maintaining stability and ensuring free access to common domains in accordance with international law. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sebastian Romawac)
A Philippine Air Force FA-50 aircraft. Photo: Senior Airman Sebastian Romawac/US Air Force

Increasing Capabilities

Alongside the additional FA-50s, Inquirer noted that Manila is investing 1 billion pesos ($17.1 million) to procure Bell 412 EPX helicopters for Philippine Army emergency operations.

Another 6.5-billion peso ($111.1 million) contract was also signed to double the Philippine Air Force’s six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

Inquirer further reported that the Philippines is working on modernization projects covering the military’s cyber infrastructure and ground-based air defense system.

The upgrades will also encompass the Philippine Navy’s incoming Miguel Malvar-class corvettes purchased in 2021 from South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries. Delivery of the 28-billion peso ($478.8 million) warships is expected in the first quarter of 2025.

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