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-50GF 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

 

[urban mine]

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

There is news that Poland is in talks with the US, but if there is any other news, I think Poland will announce it first.

 

[urban mine]

공군 1전비, 폴란드 조종사 T-50 조종 교육과정 수료 | 중앙통신뉴스

[중앙통신뉴스] 공군 제1전투비행단(이하 1전비)은 2월 28일(금) 16주간의 T-50 조종 교육과정을 수료한 폴란드 조종사들을 대상으로 수료식을 개최했다.미할락 마르친 대위 등 8명의 폴란드 조종사는 지난해 11월 T-50 조종 교육과정에 입과했다. 1전비는 189

www.ikbc.net

The ROKAF 1st Fighter Wing held a graduation ceremony on Friday, Feb. 28, for Polish pilots who completed a 16-week T-50 pilot training course.

View attachment 73969 View attachment 73970

 

[urban mine]

FA-50 on farewell flight with SU-22. That's a very sensational video.

 

[urban mine]

View attachment 2025062716502665997.jpg
Polish Air Force Commander Nowak visited KAI's fixed-wing production line and inspected the FA-50PL production site.

 

[urban mine]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1949848594745323770

Poland seems to be doing a good job with their FA-50s. Moving them to a unit for better jointness with F-16s and then moving them back to their original base.

I like their HAS.

 

[urban mine]

Dostawy FA-50PL do Polski od przyszłego roku – MILMAG

Południowokoreańska spółka KAI odniosła się do zarzutów telewizji państwowej KBS News na temat wcześniejszego zarządu oraz kontraktu na lekkie samoloty bojowe FA-50 do Polski.

milmag.pl

Last week, there was significant controversy surrounding an investigative report aired on KBS that covered KAI's negative practices. The broadcast highlighted delivery delays concerning the FA-50PL. The broadcast claimed that the main reason was the delay in the development of Raytheon's PhantomStrike in the United States. Kang Gu-young, who was president at the time, is being criticized for pushing through the contract despite concerns that the promised delivery date could not be met because the actual radar model did not exist.

According to KAI's explanation sent to Poland's MILMAG , the broadcast aired on KBS stemmed from Korea's internal political situation (at the time, Kang Gu-young was an appointee of the former administration's rebel leader Yoon Suk-yeol) and the company was merely caught up in it. It stated that false information provided by one of the key witnesses featured in the broadcast, a former executive, was utilized. Therefore, KAI is considering legal action against this individual.

The following is KAI's statement regarding the FA-50PL.

1. Regarding the matter of the US government's approval timeline for the integration of the AIM-9X missile and the supply of the GPS module for the FA-50PL platform, it is a classified issue. However, we emphasize that any delays are not the fault of either KAI or the Polish client. The governments of the Republic of Korea, the USA, and Poland are cooperating to find the best solutions to these issues.

2. On the integration of the AIM-9X missile with the FA-50PL aircraft, considering the necessary approvals from the US government, the choice of the American AESA radar [PhantomStrike – Ed. note] was the optimal decision. The Korean radar [ESR-500A – Ed. note] had not yet been developed at that time, and there are no premises to indicate that its selection for the FA-50PL would have shortened the overall schedule of the Polish aircraft version's program.

3. KAI is currently negotiating the update of the FA-50PL aircraft delivery deadlines with the Polish side—both parties aim to work out an optimal solution to this matter, taking the circumstances into account.

KAI ensures the highest quality of the aircraft produced and their maintenance after delivery to customers. We are executing the projects for Poland, which we treat with honor, with full commitment and diligence, constantly and closely cooperating with the Polish client. Regardless of political events in Korea, we are focused on performing the best possible work for all our customers.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1971522102613143640

Separately, the Polish Ministry of Defense officially announced that there are no delays regarding the FA-50PL and that 12 aircraft will be delivered sequentially between 2026 and 2028.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1968633167956361664

Frankly speaking, looking at the development progress of PhantomStrike, it is unclear whether it will be possible to install it on the FA-50PL starting in 2026.
They say they're finally installing it on the FTB, but will they be able to deliver 12 units next year with it installed on the FA-50PL? There will definitely be delays.
For now, I'll just have to wait and see how things progress.