Defense expert questions capability of FA-50 planes

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 3): Defense expert questions capability of FA-50 planes

The FA-50 lead-in fighter planes from South Korea that the Department of National Defense (DND) plans to purchase lack capability in terms of performance and weaponry of a genuine multi-role jet fighter plane that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) badly needs to defend the country’s airspace in light of rising tensions in the region, a defense expert noted.

“Although the DND is acquiring the probably best lead-in fighter for the PAF, it still falls short of capabilities in terms of performance, function, and weapons as compared to a multi-role (fighter) combat aircraft,” said Jorge Rillona, defense industry analyst and former US Marine specialist in combined air, sea, and land combat systems.

Rillona echoed the growing concern being raised by PAF pilots, active and retired, on the plan to acquire the Korean-made FA-50 lead-in fighter planes to replace the F-5s that were phased out in 2005.

The KAI FA-50 (South Korean), Aermacchi M346 (Italy), and Yaklovlev-YAK130 (Russia) are lead-in fighter planes that come from a family of advanced jet trainers that have limited capabilities and weapons, he added.

The FA-50 type aircraft “lead into” genuine multi-role planes such as the US multi-role fighter planes like the Lockheed F-16 and Boeing F-18, as well as the new Lockheed F-35 stealth joint strike fighter.

Since the F-5s were phased out, the PAF has had no fighter plane in its arsenal, a far cry from the early ‘50s up to the early ‘80s when the PAF was second to none in Southeast Asia in terms of air power.

As a consequence, the PAF has no capability to intercept or challenge any hostile planes that violate Philippine airspace, unlike before when the Air Force can confront within minutes unauthorized incoming aircraft or ships before they could enter the country’s territory.

That was the time when the Air Force had about 60 F-5s and F-8 jetfighters in their arsenal.

The F-5 Freedom fighters and F-8 Crusaders were armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground guided missiles, .50 caliber machine guns and 20-mm cannons.

PAF pilots interviewed by this writer said they prefer a modern multi-role fighter plane with advanced weaponry and sensors for the country’s air defense so that potential hostile forces would have second thought knowing that they would be intercepted before they could penetrate Philippine airspace or waters.

When asked to comment on the 52 percent down payment requirement for the FA-50, Rillona said, “I cannot accurately comment as I am not fully aware of the details of negotiations.  However, there may be other aspects tied into the terms of procurement such as offset obligations by the supplier, like those found in Brazil’s recent announcement on their new multi-role (fighter) combat aircraft procurement.”

http://www.mb.com.ph/defense-expert-questions-capability-of-fa-50-planes/