Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will deliver two FA-50 light-attack aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) ahead of schedule in December, Philippine Undersecretary of Defense Fernando Manalo said on 3 March.
"We are looking at the early delivery of two FA-50s," said Manalo, head of the Philippine Department of National Defense's (DND) modernisation and procurement division. "They will be combat and mission ready upon their arrival this December."
Manila signed a PHP18.9 billion contract to buy 12 FA-50s on 28 March 2014, under which KAI was to deliver all the aircraft by mid-2017.
Philippine President Aquino inspected an FA-50 at Gimhae Air Base in South Korea in December 2014, and at the time told reporters he expected the 12 aircraft to just be the start of increased defence co-operation between the two countries.
"We have been assured by KAI that by 2017 our procurement will be complete. Down the road, likely more will be needed, but I will leave that up to my successors," he said. Aquino's term ends on 30 June 2016.
(Jane's)
kemajuan besar bagi filipina jika pesawat tempur FA-50 ini sudah sampai di filipina. Karna selama ini mereka sama sekali ga punya pesawat tempur setelah pensiunnya f5 a/b mereka tahun 2005 lalu.
BalasHapus