Korean FA-50 light fighters make their Polish debut

The first two Korean FA-50 light fighter aircraft delivered to Poland took to the skies above Warsaw on Tuesday (local time), according to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

The first of two Korean FA-50 light fighter aircraft delivered to Poland fly above Warsaw in formation behind a MiG-29 fighter on Tuesday during a military parade in Warsaw to celebrate the country's Armed Forces Day. [KOREA AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES]

The first two Korean FA-50 light fighter aircraft delivered to Poland took to the skies above Warsaw on Tuesday (local time), according to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

The flights took place during Warsaw’s largest military parade in decades to mark the country’s Armed Forces Day, which saw celebrations on a grander scale as Poland ramps up defense spending amid heightened regional tensions over Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

The two FA-50 aircraft took off from the Polish Air Force’s 23rd Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki, located 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Warsaw, and flew in formation alongside a Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter, which Poland is aiming to replace as part of its military modernization program.

Other Korean-made weapons on display at Tuesday’s parade included K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers by Hanwha Aerospace, as well as AHS Krab howitzers that use the same chassis.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, chief commander of Warsaw’s armed forces, said in his opening speech at the parade that bolstering Poland’s defenses along its eastern border is a key policy.

“The goal of this huge modernization is to equip Poland’s armed forces and create such a defense system that no one ever dares attack us, and that Polish soldiers will never need to fight,” Duda said.

The Polish president said the country’s defense budget this year would be its highest-ever at 137 billion zlotys ($34 billion), or approximately 4 percent of Polish gross domestic product, making it the highest proportionally in all of NATO.

The third and fourth FA-50 aircraft earmarked for the Polish military are scheduled to arrive sometime next month, with KAI committing to delivering a total of 12 FA-50 light fighters by the end of the year.

These 12 initial aircraft are formally designated as FA-50GF, with the GF standing for “gap-filler,” highlighting the jets’ intended role as replacements for Poland’s aging fleet.

The other 36 FA-50 jets that are scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2028 will be an upgraded version, named the FA-50PL.

Improvements that distinguish the FA-50PL from the FA-50GP include an expanded range through an aerial refueling function, an enhanced active electronically scanned array radar, and its ability to carry air-to-surface and air-to-air weapons, according to KAI.

Poland became the largest customer of Korean defense systems last year after it signed contracts worth $14 billion to acquire 180 K2 main battle tanks, 212 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 48 FA-50 light fighters.

KAI, which is Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, says it hopes to partner with more European countries in addition to Poland.

The company’s CEO, Kang Goo-young, credited Korea’s state arms procurement agency and air force for facilitating fast deliveries of FA-50 aircraft to Poland.

“I hope that the FA-50 will contribute to safeguarding the lives and safety of the Polish people,” he said, adding that KAI will continue to “lend maintenance support in order to strengthen the capabilities of the Polish Air Force.”

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]