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 Sniper ATP pods from the American company Lockheed Martin, for an approximate amount of $105 million. The pods will be delivered to Poland b

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 Sniper ATP pods from the American company Lockheed Martin, for an approximate amount of $105 million. The pods will be delivered to Poland b

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 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:

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

 

[urban mine]

Sześć FA-50PL na linii produkcyjnej w Korei. Kiedy trafią do Polski?

Obecnie na linii produkcyjnej Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) w mieście Sacheon znajduje się sześć samolotów bojowych FA-50PL w różnych stadiach budowy. Koreań...

portalobronny.se.pl

Six FA-50PLs are being assembled at KAI. More information on the FA-50PL will be released in the coming days.

 

[urban mine]

유용원

<폴란드 민스크 기지의 FA-50GP 첫 무장장착 테스트 현장에 가봤습니다> 오늘은 폴란드 민스크(Minsk) 지역에 위치한 제23전술공군기지를 방문했습니다. 이 곳에서는 현재 우리 한국항공우주산업(KAI)에서 제작한 FA-50 갭필러 버전 12대를 운용하고 있고, 앞으로 폴란드 공군은 전용 버전인 PL형 36대를 포함해 총 48대의 FA-50을...

www.facebook.com

Mr. Yoo is a member of the National Defense Committee of the South Korean National Assembly and is visiting Poland and Ukraine on official business. He visited the Minsk base in Poland to check the operation status of the 12 FA-50GPs exported by South Korea. Initially, there were difficulties in operation due to problems with the supply of parts, but according to the local inspection, 10 out of 12 FA-50GPs are operating normally, with an 83.9% available rates . According to KAI's Polish office, this is higher than in Korea.

He was also able to see the first test of three weapons on the Polish FA-50GP, including the MK-82 , AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

 

[Costin1984]

Any news of the integration of the AIM 120D on those FA's? I heard there were some hurdles on that issue