Philippine Air Force to acquire ammunition for FA-50 aircraft

Posted to Air Force-Technology.com (Jan 11): Philippine Air Force to acquire ammunition for FA-50 aircraft

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has reportedly unveiled plans to acquire ammunition for two of its new FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter jets that were delivered by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) last year.

The Southeast Asian country will invest $2.25m to purchase 93,600 rounds of 20mm ammunition for the Korean-made fighter jets' A50 gun system, reported Inquirer.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson colonel Restituto Padilla was quoted by the publication as saying: "Part of the procurement process is the armament system for our FA-50 fighters.

"This purchase is part of the arms acquisition package for our aircraft."

The two jets are part of the 12 FA-50s that South Korea's KAI will deliver to PAF under a Php18.9bn ($400m) government-to-government contract signed in 2013. The remaining aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by 2017.

The fighter jets will enhance the air force's capabilities in patrolling the country's airspace, especially in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.

Additionally, the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to buy 17,280 RR-170 chaffs and 8,640 MJU-7 infrared flares with impulsive cartridges.

These will be fitted on the Elbit Elisra countermeasure dispenser system of the FA-50 fighter jets.

A light combat derivative of the T-50 supersonic advanced jet trainer, the FA-50 is capable of carrying up to 4.5t of weapons including air-to-air/air-to-surface missiles, machine guns, precision guided bombers such as the joint direct attack munitions (JDAM), and the CBUs.

The fighter jet is equipped with night vision imaging system and provides improved self-protection with the radar warning receiver and the counter measure dispenser system.

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