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Korea Aerospace Industries has unveiled the first FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft for Poland from their KAI factory plant.
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Polish Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak took part in the dramatic ceremonial display of the first aircraft in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do on Wednesday, 7 June.
Twelve of 48 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Polish Army this year. KAI is scheduled to consecutively provide 36 FA-50s between late 2025 to 2028.
Polish and South Korean ministers have previously signed a memorandum of understanding under which the Joint Korean-Polish Committee cooperate in defence and defence industry.
“Last September in Mińsk Mazowiecki, Poland, I had the pleasure and honour to approve the contract for the supply of FA-50 light combat aircraft. The first units are already being delivered to Poland,” Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak said during his visit to South Korea.
“This is an extremely important moment for the Air Force. We are getting rid of post-Soviet aircraft and from now on Polish combat aviation will only use F-16 and FA-50 aircraft, and soon also F-35.
“These three types come from the same family of excellent and modern aircraft. This is a great asset when building an interoperable air defence system and a unified training system.
“Our pilots have already completed their first FA-50 training in the Republic of Korea and will soon be ready to smoothly switch to using the new type of equipment.”
Oficjalny roll-out FA-50, czyli uroczyste wyprowadzenie z zakładów KAI Factory pierwszego samolotu FA-50 produkcji ??, zakupionego na wyposażenie #WojskoPolskie??. pic.twitter.com/ScWNpz9RSw
— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej ?? (@MON_GOV_PL) June 7, 2023
The FA-50 has features such as aerial refuelling function, active electronically scanned array, air-to-surface, and air-to-air weapons.
Defence ministers from both countries also observed fire training with the use of the K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system and the K9 self-propelled howitzer during the visit.
“It should be emphasised that very good Polish-Korean cooperation is not only an agreement for the purchase of aircraft, but also a training, logistics and simulator package,” Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak during his visit to South Korea.
“We are in the process of negotiating the construction of a service centre in Poland based on cooperation between Korea Aerospace Industries and the Polish Armaments Group.
“Building Polish armed forces whose potential will be able to deter the aggressor. Cooperation with the Republic of Korea significantly contributes to strengthening Poland’s security.
“We want to use the model of Korean-American cooperation in Polish-American cooperation and with a Korean partner.”
Poland has also signed contracts for K2 Black Panther tanks, K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery launchers, and K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers. The first K2 tanks and K9 howitzers have already arrived in Poland.
Oficjalny roll-out #FA50 dla ??
— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej ?? (@MON_GOV_PL) June 7, 2023
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Minister @mblaszczak: To niezwykle ważny moment dla Sił Powietrznych. Pozbywamy się samolotów postsowieckich, a polskie lotnictwo bojowe od teraz będzie używało wyłącznie samolotów F-16 i FA-50, a niedługo także F-35.
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?https://t.co/P4jOwuOE3v pic.twitter.com/NmaaDZDi2s
Korean Aerospace Industries has been on a marketing blitz recently after signing the Royal Malaysian Air Force to acquire 18 FA-50 Block 20 Fighting Eagles earlier this year, alongside the $2.3 billion contract with Poland signed last year.
“This will be an opportunity to enhance the cooperation in national defence and defence market both in Poland and the Republic of Korea,” said Minister Lee Jong-sup of National Defense of the Republic of Korea at the release of the FA-50.
