MSPO 2022: KAI prepares to deliver FA-50 training and light fighter aircraft to Poland

Poland is to acquire 48 FA-50 combat aircraft from South Korea, with deliveries of the first batch planned for 2023. (KAI)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) executives and the company's chief test pilot gave a media briefing on Poland's procurement of the FA-50PL training and light fighter aircraft on the second day of the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2022 being held in Kielce from 6 to 9 September.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak approved the procurement of 48 FA-50s on 27 July as part of a wider bilateral defence procurement agreement with South Korea that also includes the acquisition of K2 main battle tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers.

One of KAI's regional managers for Europe, Chang Jae Lee, said the first batch would consist of FA-50s in the current configuration and a second batch of aircraft in the most advanced configuration. He told Janes after the media briefing that delivery of the first batch was planned to be completed by the end of 2023, followed by the second batch later on, but he would not reveal the number of aircraft in each batch.

During the media briefing, Lee said that discussions were under way with Poland on what weapons the aircraft would be armed with. When the procurement was approved on 27 July, a Polish Armaments Agency spokesperson told Janes the Ministry of National Defence wanted AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and other munitions integrated onto the aircraft.