An Egyptian diplomatic official has confirmed that Cairo is in advanced talks with South Korea for the purchase of up to 100 FA-50 light attack aircraft.
Egyptian Ambassador to Seoul, Khaled Abdelrahman, stated that discussions between the two countries are progressing positively after months of negotiations for an initial order of 36 aircraft.
“We hope the technical and detailed discussions between our institutions and Korean firms will lead to a successful outcome,” Abdelrahman said.
Egypt’s interest in the FA-50 reportedly began after the August 2022 Pyramids Air Show, where South Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatic team performed over the pyramids.
Since then, Cairo has been pursuing an advanced trainer aircraft project, initially considering 70 aircraft, with the possibility of expanding the order to 100.
Once finalized, the deal is expected to enhance Egypt’s aviation capabilities and strengthen strategic ties between Cairo and Seoul.
A ‘Practical’ Choice
Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, the FA-50 is a two-seat, supersonic light attack aircraft derived from the renowned T-50 jet trainer.
It combines advanced training features with robust combat capabilities, making it ideal for both pilot training and air-to-ground combat missions.
The aircraft boasts a maximum speed of Mach 1.5 (approximately 1,850 kilometers or 1,150 miles per hour) and a range of 2,592 kilometers (1,611 miles).
The FA-50 has emerged as a leading contender for Egypt’s advanced trainer acquisition program, competing against China’s L-15 and Italy’s M-346.
While the Chinese and Italian options are more affordable, the Korean aircraft offers a key advantage — 70 percent parts commonality with the F-16, already in service with the Egyptian Air Force.
This commonality simplifies logistics, maintenance, and supply chain operations.
Once delivered, the FA-50 will replace Egypt’s aging Alpha Jets and part of its Chinese-made K-8E trainers, providing a more modern and capable solution for both training and combat needs.