2 fighter jets from Korea arrive today

MANILA, Philippines - Two more FA50-A fighter jets from South Korea will be delivered to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) today.

The planes, which the Philippine government has acquired from South Korean defense contractor Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in the amount of P18.9 billion, will become part of the country’s squadron of modern jet fighters.

“This is the third batch with the two additional aircraft touching down at Clark Field in Pampanga before noon today,” PAF spokesman Col. Antonio Francisco said.

With the two additional FA50s, the PAF will now have half a squadron of modern lead-in fighter jets, two of which have already saw action against the Maute terrorist group in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

With a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one and half times faster than the speed of sound, FA50s can become fully combat capable once fitted with air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 “Sidewinder” air-to-air, and air-to-ground and heat seeking missiles.

For the time being, the fighter jets, a copycat of the US F16 Falcons, will be serving as the country’s interim fighter aircraft as well as to provide and prepare Filipino fighter pilots to fly and handle more advanced fighters which the government will acquire in the future.

“With the arrival of the two FA50s, this will further strengthen our air capabilities. Our pilots will have more flying time and that means added skills in handling fighter jets,” Francisco said.