Poland FA 50 light supersonic combat aircraft

[MaciekRS]

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.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1678415961433546756

| Polska Agencja Prasowa SA

The first consignment of South Korean FA-50 light combat jets has arrived in Poland, the country's defence minister has announced.

www.pap.pl

 

[MaciekRS]

Testing of FA 50 In Poland almost complete.

 

[MaciekRS]

Poland signs contract to purchase 34 Sniper pods for its FA-50 fighter jets​

Poland signs contract to purchase 34 Sniper pods for its FA-50 fighter jets

The Armament Agency, an organization under the Polish Ministry of Defense, announced on its social networks the signing of a contract for the acquisition of 34

www.aviacionline.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1692505807114404304

 

[MaciekRS]

FA 50 on Air Show in Radom

 

[MaciekRS]

 

[urban mine]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1740764455947141595

Hmm. Not so bad i think....

 

[MaciekRS]

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]

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]

I think they are only for training.
Those 36 FA-50 PL will have radar

Poland's FA-50 aircraft to be equipped with PhantomStrike radar

Poland's FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft – manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) – will be equipped with Raytheon's PhantomStrike radar, a Raytheon spokesperson...

www.janes.com

will have sniper pods

Poland signs contract to purchase 34 Sniper pods for its FA-50 fighter jets

The Armament Agency, an organization under the Polish Ministry of Defense, announced on its social networks the signing of a contract for the acquisition of 34

www.aviacionline.com

and integrated AIM-120 AMRAAM

 

[MaciekRS]

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.

 

[Chocopie]

The delay hinges on US gov approval of ARAAM 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:

Truth about the Armament for the Polish FA-50s [COMMENTARY]

In a parliamentary speech, Deputy Minister of Defence Cezary Tomczyk criticized the process of purchasing FA-50 aircraft, particularly the lack of weapons involved in that procurement. But was he right? Let’s look at the facts.

defence24.com