Poland FA 50 light supersonic combat aircraft

MaciekRS

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The first two FA-50 supersonic combat aircraft purchased by Poland from South Korea have arrived in Poland. "The light combat aircraft ordered from South Korea, which will replace post-Soviet equipment, will enhance the capabilities of the Air Force," said Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.
 

MaciekRS

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MaciekRS

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Yeah, first 12 training FA 50 are in here, ready to go.
Next step is that upgraded 36 FA-50PL Block 20 that should be ready in 25-26.
 

Afif

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Yeah, first 12 training FA 50 are in here, ready to go.
Next step is that upgraded 36 FA-50PL Block 20 that should be ready in 25-26.

Is this first batch trainer only? Do they have radar and AMRAAM?
 

MaciekRS

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I think they are only for training.
Those 36 FA-50 PL will have radar
will have sniper pods
and integrated AIM-120 AMRAAM
 

MaciekRS

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Black clouds are gaining over those 36 FA 50 PL.
Korean side said that intagrating FA 50 with AMRAAM is not possible in the next at least 3-4 years.
We'll see what will happen but MANY people are not happy about this situation.
 

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The delay hinges on US gov approval of AMRAAM integration on FA-50 Block 2.

RTX/Raytheon, producer of PhantomStrike AESA radar (FA-50PL, FA-50MY) and AIM-120 is eager to get that approved.

LockheedMartin otherwise don‘t want a more capable competitor to their F-16V.

The outcome is uncertain but the US are stalling for time and delaying a decision.
During KF-21 development they first refused an integration of AMRAAM & AIM-9X Sidewinder. After Koreans signed a deal with MBDA Meteor and Diehl Defence IRIS-T the US suddenly "reassessed" and approved both missiles for integration.

Not sure if it was an overpromising of KAI or AIM-120 integration was never promised as 100% certainty in the contracts with Poland and Malaysia. For a fact, ROKAF doesn’t need BVR on FA-50 or want to pay/share the absurdly high integration costs. Expensive AIM-120s are reserved for superior fighter jets F-35, F-15k, KF-16 & KF-21.

This Polish opinion piece sums up the situation pretty well:
 
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