#fa50

한국항공우주산업(KAI)의 최근 실적을 파이낸셜리뷰 시각으로 풀어봤습니다. FA-50 수출 성과, 20조 원대 수주잔고, KF-21 보라매 양산 기대감까지—숫자 너머의 성장 스토리를 함께 확인해 보세요.

한국항공우주산업(KAI)이 KF-21 보라매 개발과 FA-50 수출로 세계 항공 시장에서 존재감을 키우고 있습니다. K-항공기의 힘은 글로벌 무대에서 당당히 증명되고 있습니다.

South Korea’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Lee Sang-Hwa said that Discussions are being made for the possible acquisition by the Philippine Military of more Military Assets from his Country, and that the first Delivery of up to three FA-50 Block 70 Aircraft may be delivered before the end of the Term of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) in 2028.

Here are the direct Quotes from him on those Topics: “The first Batch will be delivered, we hope, before the End of the Term of Marcos Administration….Out of 12, you know, the first Batch of the, one, two, three, it depends on the Schedule of Delivery. Yes. Other Things (meaning Military Assets) are in the Talk, but too early to disclose Details.”

Here is the Article from the “ABS-CBN” Website: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/22/ph-eyeing-more-south-korea-made-military-equipment-envoy-says-1829

MY THOUGHTS: It seems that South Korea (SK) will be the biggest Beneficiary of the Department of National Defense’s (DND) new Policy of getting Military Assets only from Countries that publicly support at a High Level our Claims in the South China Sea (SCS).

This new Policy has seem to be already claimed Israel as a “Casualty” because they refused to do so. Unlike Israel though, SK was always willing to support the Philippines Claims in the SCS publicly, and their Top Government Officials.

I have nothing against SK, but as I said before, it does make me feel a bit uncomfortable in acquiring too much of our Military Assets from one Country alone, I think that’s just Common Sense, and I am sure they themselves understand that.

The DND’s Policy is making our Defense acquisitions a bit more complicated than it should be, because the Defense Exporting Countries have their own Pros and Cons also. Japan’s Military Export Policy is too complicated, and their Assets may be more expensive anyway.

The United States (US) and Europe are also a bit on the expensive Side, and India continues to have some Issues with their Military Assets that are for export. Turkey seems to have reasonably priced Goods, but I am not sure if they will support the DND’s new Policy.

The same with Indonesia, or any of the Countries in South East Asia (SEA). And of Course Russia and China are definitely out of any Consideration under this Administration of BBM.

After around a Week and a half of silence since the Manufacturer "Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)" announced that the Philippines bought another dozen of their FA-50 Aircraft, the Department of National Defense (DND) finally announced also the Sale.

The biggest surprise is that they officially used the Designation "Block 70" for the Aircraft. Initially I just rolled my Eyes and thought that they had somehow confused that Designation with the F-16C Fighting Falcon which, of course have that Designation for their latest Version.

However, after giving it some thought, I decided to do some search on Google, and true enough, I found one South Korean Website, the "Defense Today" which used the Block 70 Designation for the FA-50 as early as March of last Year of 2024.

Note that majority of the International Defense Publications have not used this Designation until recently, it had always been "Block 20". From what I can tell, it seems that there is a direct replacement of the "Block 20" Designation to "Block 70".

Quoting from the "Defense Today" Articles:

"KAI CEO Kang Koo-young proposed the FA-50 Block 70, the latest improved Model being introduced by Poland and Malaysia, to the Thai Air Force."

"The FA-50M Light Fighter being introduced by Malaysia is an improved Version of the FA-50 Block 70. Poland has already finalized 36 FA-50 Block 70 Aircraft, and Production Work is also Underway."

Note that the KAI Website itself does not show any Reference or Explanation about the different “Block” Versions on their Main Section of the FA-50, which is why there is some confusion about the Nature of these Designations. To clarify Things up, I think KAI needs to put explain these Block Designations on their Website itself.

Since there is no official Explanation on why this change was made, I suspect that its main Reason is to help in the Marketing of the F-16C, to identify closer with the FA-50. Remember that the Manufacturer of the F-16C, Lockheed Martin, is instrumental in the Design and Development of the FA-50 Aircraft.

SOURCES:

Department of National Defense - Philippines Facebook Page Post, 06/14/25 – 0915H {Archived Link}

FA-50M 말레이시아 납품 공정 26.7% {Archived Link}

The South Korean Press is reporting that the Philippine Government has just signed a Contract for the acquisition of 12 brand new FA-50 Aircraft from the “Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)” Company worth Usd 700 million, and that the Contract includes Logistical Support.

Delivery of all 12 Aircraft is expected to be completed by 2030. You can access the Article at the “Chosunbiz” Website here: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-industry/2025/06/04/P6LVXB6JUZFGXKDQPGFONGGBRQ/

MY THOUGHTS: Previous News Reports say that the Aircraft will be the latest FA-50 Block 20 Version. The Price per Aircraft with this Contract comes down to Usd 58.3 million per Unit, which is a big Jump from the Usd 35 million per Unit when we bought the older Model back in 2014.

But that is probably because we are buying a newer Model, and more Logistical Support is included in the Contract. And the FA-50 has become a lot more popular than we first bought it, so the Supplier has likely raised a bit its Price also.

Malaysia just updated the Public about how their FA-50 acquisition is almost a third complete, the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) could emulate how the Malaysians provide such updates. Also admirable is the Fact that Malaysia hasn't received their Aircraft yet, but they already have plans on the Updates and how long they intend to have the Aircraft serve on their side, unlike the Philippines.

The South Korean Press recently wrote about their Country's offer of Combat Aircraft to the Philippines, and below are the Highlights:

The Philippines will be acquiring the latest FA-50 Block 20 Version which will have an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar and an Aerial Refueling Capability that will allow it to extend its Range.

The Contract will reportedly be worth Krw 1 trillion, or approximately Usd 677.4 million for a dozen Aircraft, assuming an Exchange Rate of Krw 1,476 for every United States (US) Dollar.

The Article is arguing for their KF-21 Boramae instead of the F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 70 Aircraft since it will have lower Introduction, Operational and Maintenance Cost. It also mentioned how the US might restrict the acquisition and use of Weapons on the F-16C.

MY NOTES: The AESA Radar on the Block 20 will be stealthier than the current Radar that the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is using.

The Price of Usd 56.45 million per Aircraft for these Block 20 Versions is a big jump compared to the Usd 35 million we got for the FA-50PH back in 2014, or 11 Years ago. That’s an increase of Usd 21.45 million or over 60%.

Inflation alone won’t explain that big increase in Price, probably it’s because of the additional new Features of the Aircraft. And the PAF might be acquiring better Logistical Support and some Weapons with the Aircraft this time, unlike before.

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Daily Hankooki” Website: https://daily.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1193291