South Korea built the first FA-50 fighter jets for Poland
Official presentation and rollout of the first built FA-50GF, June 7, 2023
The Polish Air Force is currently planning a major rearmament program. They are decommissioning old Soviet-style equipment and are going to adopt modern aircraft. The FA-50 fighter of South Korean development is considered as one of the novelties. Last year, Poland and the Republic of Korea signed two contracts for the production of such equipment, and the first aircraft have already been built on them.
Upgrade plans
The current state of combat aviation The Polish Air Force leaves much to be desired. It is based on 48 American-made F-16C/D fighters. In addition, until recently, Soviet-style aircraft - MiG-29 and Su-22 of two modifications in the amount of approx. 35-40 units
The further operation of Soviet technology has long been considered inappropriate due to its moral and physical obsolescence. They decided to decommission the existing Su-22s, and the MiG-29s are being transferred to the friendly Kyiv regime as an aid. At the same time, in order to maintain quantitative and qualitative indicators at the desired level, a decision was made to purchase modern foreign equipment.
Thus, there is already an agreement on the supply of more than 30 American F-35 fighters. However, such aircraft will enter service only in the distant future, and a replacement for decommissioned MiG-29s is needed now. In this regard, the Polish Air Force placed an order abroad for equipment of the "transitional stage".
On September 16, 2022, the Polish Ministry of Defense and the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries signed two contracts for the construction and supply of aviation equipment. A total of 48 FA-50 aircraft have been ordered in two modifications. The supply of aids, training of personnel, etc. is also negotiated. The value of the two contracts reached PLN 18,9 billion (approx. USD 3 billion).
Two contracts
The first Polish-South Korean contract provides for the supply of 12 fighters in the FA-50GF modification (Gap Filler - “filling the gap”), for which they will pay approx. $700 million - $58,3 million each. Under the terms of the agreement, the production of this equipment will take a little over a year, and by the end of 2023 it will be handed over to the customer.
Modification "GF" as much as possible repeats the production version of the FA-50 Block 50 fighter, produced for the South Korean Air Force. This saves time and money on development and pre-production.
Under the terms of the second contract, the customer will receive aircraft of the new modification FA-50PL. It is planned to build 36 such machines with a total cost of $2,3 billion (about $64 million per unit). It is reported that this version of the fighter will be as similar as possible to the South Korean FA-50 Block 20. However, this time the continuity of designs will not save time, and deliveries of equipment will begin only in a few years.
In accordance with the signed agreements, at the end of last year, the South Korean side began training Polish pilots and technical personnel. It also provides for the supply of the necessary ground equipment, aids, simulators, etc. A full system of maintenance and operation of equipment has been deployed on Polish territory.
Delivery schedule
KAI started assembling aircraft for Poland immediately after receiving the official order. Already in February 2023, she rolled out the first FA-50GF of a new batch from the assembly shop. Over the next few months, two more aircraft were assembled. According to known data, a number of the following fighters are at different stages of construction. It is possible that even the last aircraft from the first Polish order have already been laid down and are being assembled.
On June 7, the official roll-out and presentation ceremony for the first three FA-50GFs took place at the KAI plant in Sacheon. The event was attended by the leadership of the Polish military department. In a solemn atmosphere, the planes were shown to the guests of the ceremony. Loud statements were also made about mutually beneficial cooperation, the modernization of the Air Force and the armed forces, and also, as expected, about confronting the insidious aggressor.
According to the approved schedule, already this year KAI should complete, test and transfer to the customer 12 "temporary" fighters under the first contract. They will be equipped with the 1st aviation squadron, from the 23rd tactical airbase in Minsk Mazowiecki. Previously, this unit had the MiG-29, but it was decided to transfer all such aircraft to Ukraine. The new FA-50GF will allow him to maintain combat capability.
The next 36 aircraft will be built according to the FA-50PL project. Reportedly, it is based on the South Korean FA-50 Block 20, but provides a number of innovations based on customer requirements. At the moment, the PL project is under development. The first prototype aircraft of this type will be built and lifted into the air only in the foreseeable future.
Then it is planned to start mass production. The first FA-50PL, under the terms of the contract, will go to the customer in 2025. The last of the 36 machines will be handed over in 2028. With their help, several more squadrons will be re-equipped, so far equipped with old Soviet equipment.
It is reported that in the distant future, the FA-50GF aircraft of the first batch may be upgraded under the PL project. As a result, complete unification of aircraft of this type will be ensured, which will give certain advantages.
subject of a contract
The promising 4th generation fighter FA-50 was developed by KAI in the 50s. It was built on the basis of the existing T-50 training aircraft, previously created with the participation of the American company Lockheed Martin. In parallel with the FA-50, the TA-XNUMX light attack aircraft was created on the same base. Combat aircraft differ from the basic training aircraft in the design of the airframe, the composition of the main units, on-board radio-electronic equipment and the possibility of installing weapons.
The first flight of the experimental FA-50 took place in 2011. By this time, the South Korean Air Force managed to place an order for serial production, and in 2013-15. the first batches of new equipment entered service. Within a few years, the Air Force received all 60 ordered aircraft. In addition, FA-50 fighters were built for Iraq and the Philippines. Last year, KAI received an order from Poland, and in February 2023, a contract with Malaysia appeared. New orders from foreign countries are expected.
The FA-50 in all modifications is a light, single-engine, multipurpose supersonic fighter with a two-seat cockpit. The aircraft was built according to the normal aerodynamic configuration with a high swept wing. The length of the machine exceeds 13 m, the wingspan is less than 9,5 m. The take-off weight is up to 12,3 tons. At the same time, the payload reaches 5400 kg.
The power plant includes one General Electric F404 turbojet engine. With its help, a maximum speed (at altitude) of more than 1800 km / h is achieved. Flight range - more than 1800 km, ceiling - 14,6 km.
Different modifications of the FA-50 differ in the composition of the avionics; the customer can choose the option that suits him. So, the Block 10 / FA-50GF modification uses the Elta EL / M-2032 airborne radar. A more advanced version of the Block 20 / FA-50PL will receive a Raytheon PhantomStrike station with an active phased array. Various means of communication, weapons control, etc. are also offered. To supplement the onboard equipment, it is proposed to use the Lockheed Martin Sniper outboard sighting container.
First three fighters for Poland
The left wing extension houses a built-in 20-mm M61 automatic cannon with 205 rounds of ammunition. Seven hardpoints for air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons are provided under the wing and fuselage. For combating air targets, the following are offered: missiles AIM-9 and AIM-120 are American-developed. Unguided Hydra 70 missiles are used against ground targets or ships, as well as guided AGM-65, KEPD-350, etc. There is a wide selection of bombs of different calibers, including guided ones.
Outdated replacement
The South Korean FA-50 fighter is of interest mainly as an attempt to develop a combat aircraft by a country that did not have such experience. On the whole, KAI coped with the tasks set, brought the aircraft to the series, entered the international market with it, and even demonstrates certain commercial successes. In addition, this project made it possible to reduce the dependence of the Republic of Korea Air Force on imported equipment.
However, despite all its advantages, the FA-50 has limited performance characteristics and combat qualities typical of the previous 4th generation fighters. In terms of its capabilities, it is inferior to newer technology and / or developments of leading aviation powers.
Thus, in the near future, the Polish Air Force is waiting for a specific and controversial update. The morally and physically obsolete MiG-29 and Su-22 will be replaced by modern, but far from advanced FA-50s. In general, such modernization of the aircraft fleet makes sense, but its real results will be limited.
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