Poland Orders S.Korean FA-50 Jets for $3B to Replace MiG-29s

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed a $3 billion deal with Poland to export 48 FA-50 light attack fighters.

On Wednesday, the Polish government also signed an agreement to procure 980 K2 battle tanks and 648 K9 howitzers. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said the Air Force will replace MiG-29s with South Korean jets.

“We had a flying accident yesterday. A MiG-29 jet was forced to land due to technical problems. I will not allow Polish pilots to risk their lives by using aircraft that are dangerous for them. Besides, these planes have low combat value,” Blaszczak was quoted as saying by reports after the signing of the framework agreement.

He added that Poland also does not have spare parts for the planes. “We do not want to import parts for them from Russia, this is not even considered. That is why these jets have to leave the service,” the minister explained.

The first batch of 12 FA-50s will arrive in Poland in the middle of next year.

KAI is seeking to establish a maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) center in Poland as well as an international pilot training school using the FA-50s, Yonhap reported citing KAI officials.