Philippines Signs $710M Deal for 12 More FA-50 Jets from South Korea

The Philippine Department of National Defense has signed a $712.83 million contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the supply of 12 FA-50 light attack aircraft, marking the largest South Korean defense export so far this year, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The agreement was finalized in Manila on June 3, the DAPA confirmed in a statement today.

This second FA-50 procurement brings the Philippines’ total FA-50 fleet to 24 aircraft. The first batch was delivered under a 2014 contract, and the aircraft have since become central to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), having been used in the 2017 Battle of Marawi and in multinational air exercises such as Pitch Black 2024 in Australia.

Over the past decade, the Philippines has become South Korea’s largest defense partner in Southeast Asia, importing approximately $3 billion worth of military assets including fighter jets, corvettes, and frigates.

KAI confirmed that the aircraft will be delivered by 2030. The deal also highlights South Korea’s goal to become the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter by 2027.