Poland Turns To South Korea’s FA-50 Fighter/Attack Jet | Aviation International News

Poland Turns To South Korea’s FA-50 Fighter/Attack Jet

The new fighters are required urgently to complete the replacement of the air force’s Soviet-era hardware.

The FA-50 offers Poland a high level of capability at a reasonable cost, and the promise of delivery within the country's tight schedule. (Photo: Korea Aerospace Industries)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

July 27, 2022

Poland’s government signed a contract with the Republic of Korea on July 27 to buy FA-50 fighter/attack aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Valued at around $2.5 billion, the contract is part of a wider $14.5 billion arms deal with South Korea that includes the procurement of K9 self-propelled howitzers and K2 main battle tanks. Poland is buying 48 FA-50s to equip three squadrons, with the first 12 due to be delivered by the middle of next year.

It is KAI's ability to deliver the aircraft quickly that has been the decisive factor in Poland chosing the FA-50, said Mariusz Blaszczak, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, in an interview with Polish media. The procurement has become urgent in the light of the Ukraine conflict, and an increasing need to replace the last of the MiG-29 and Su-22 fighters in Polish air force service, and Lockheed Martin would not be able to supply Poland with additional F-16s in the required timeframe. It was noted that Polish F-16s are currently policing the airspace of neighboring Slovakia while that nation awaits deliveries of its own F-16s.

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