Two cutting-edge FA-50 aircraft from South Korea have touched down at Okęcie Airport in Warsaw, signaling another boost to the nation’s defense capabilities.
Poland’s Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, proudly shared the news on social media, highlighting the ongoing efforts to modernize the Polish Armed Forces and enhance the security of the country’s airspace. “With determination, we are modernizing the Polish Armed Forces and enhancing the security of Polish skies,” Minister Błaszczak emphasized.
These two newly arrived FA-50 aircraft represent the latest additions to the Polish Air Force’s inventory, underscoring the country’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities. To date, a total of eight FA-50 aircraft have been delivered, with an additional four expected to arrive by the end of the year, bringing the total to 12.
“Another set of Korean aircraft for the Polish Air Force has arrived at Warsaw’s Okęcie Airport. Today, a total of 8 FA-50 aircraft have been delivered, and by the end of the year, there will be 12. With determination, we are modernizing the Polish Armed Forces and enhancing the security of Polish skies,”
wrote Minister Błaszczak on X.
Kolejne koreańskie samoloty dla 🇵🇱 Sił Powietrznych. Na warszawskim Okęciu zameldowały się dwa FA-50. Do dziś dostarczono łącznie 8 egzemplarzy FA-50, a do końca roku będzie ich 12. Z determinacją modernizujemy Wojsko Polskie i zwiększamy bezpieczeństwo polskiego nieba. pic.twitter.com/O3K8Mjxle8
— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) October 24, 2023
This boost to the Polish Air Force’s capabilities is the result of two executive agreements signed on September 16, 2022, between Poland and South Korea. These agreements pertain to the acquisition of light combat aircraft from the FA-50 family and have a combined value of approximately $705 million. The fulfillment of these agreements involves the delivery of all aircraft components, a process scheduled to conclude by the end of 2025. As part of this schedule, all FA-50 aircraft will be delivered to Poland in the latter half of this year.
The FA-50, a lightweight, two-seater combat aircraft developed in South Korea, brings advanced technology and a formidable array of weaponry to the Polish Air Force. Its primary armament includes a 20mm cannon, and it is equipped with a wide range of airborne weaponry, comprising air-to-air AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, air-to-ground AGM-65 Maverick missiles, as well as various types of bombs.