The Philippine Air Force is receiving the first two jet aircraft ordered from Korea Aerospace Industries as part of its aircraft modernization program.
The FA-50 fighter and trainer ordered by the Philippines from South Korea. Photo courtesy KAI
The Philippines will receive on Friday the first two of 12 FA-50 Golden Eagle jets from Korea Aerospace Industries.
The planes, lead-in fighter trainers, will arrive at Clark Air Base, a former U.S. facility of the Philippine Air Force, as part of the PAF's modernization effort, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
The FA-50, built by the Korean company with assistance from Lockheed Martin, has a maximum speed of 1,020 miles per hour and range of 1,150 miles. It can be fitted with air-to-air missiles, heat-seeking missiles, and light automatic cannons. It can also carry a variety of bombs.
"This is the first time that we will have supersonic capability since 2005 when our (F-5) jets were decommissioned, said PAF spokesman Col. Enrico Canaya. "This is the revival of the supersonic jet age."
The newspaper said the remaining 10 aircraft from South Korea are to be delivered by 2017.
The Philippines earlier this year sent three PAF pilots to South Korea to undergo training in operating the aircraft.
The delivery of the aircraft comes amid continuing tension between the Philippines and China over ownership of small islands off the Philippines and Chinese military construction in the area.
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2015/11/25/Philippine-Air-Force-receiving-South-Korean-FA-50-jets/8781448477968/
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