Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) began supplying FA-50GF light fighters to Poland 10 months after signing the contract… the shortest period in KAI’s history.
Full speed ahead
In mid-July 2022, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak reported that his country and South Korea were negotiating the acquisition of a major armament package, which included the FA-50 as a replacement for its Air Force’s aging Soviet-heritage aircraft.
In September 2022, Poland and KAI were signing a contract, valued at approximately $3 billion that follows a July agreement to export 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft.
On June 6, 2023, at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) facility in Saecheon, and in the presence of important personalities, the rollout ceremony of the first FA-50 GF fighter aircraft for the Polish Air Force took place.
FA-50GF Units 1 and 2 arrived in Poland for delivery on the 9th and, after a final inspection at the Minsk Air Base, will be handed over to the Polish Air Force in early August, following an acceptance flight.
From this delivery, KAI will supply 12 of the 48 FA-50s contracted for this year, and the remaining 36 will be developed in the FA-50PL variant, designed and configured to meet the particular needs of the Polish Air Force, which will be delivered between 2025 and 2028.
Poland is key to European expansion strategy
KAI President Koo-Young Kang personally visited Minsk Air Base on the 12th to check the readiness of the FA-50GFs for delivery and met with Polish Air Force officials to pledge delivery of perfect quality aircraft and stable follow-up support.
See also: Why did the FA-50 win in Poland? F-15EX and KF-21 on the horizon
President Kang Gu-young said, “This delivery is the historic moment when the FA-50 debuts in the European market for the first time. I will do my best.”
Poland became the Korean defense industry’s marketing base in the “old continent,” central to its expansion strategy in the European market.
Global aspirations for the FA-50
KAI aims to advance into the U.S. market, where it expects to place about 500 units. If the FA-50 enters the U.S. market, it is expected to secure the export of 1300 units and a market share of more than 50% in the global market for advanced trainers and light fighters, including the expansion of exports to friendly countries.
The FA-50 is also actively promoted in the Latin American and African market. KAI is currently concentrating its marketing in Egypt, which is a key point in Africa’s security strategy.
See also: Korea Aerospace Industries forecasts a market for up to 100 FA-50 in Egypt
And it is worth remembering, as they always say at KAI, “every new FA-50 customer is a potential customer and partner of the KF-21 Boramae program”.
