Philippines Agrees on Deal to Buy 12 FA-50 Fighter Aircraft From South Korea

South Korea and the Philippines have agreed on a $422 million deal for the purchase of twelve FA-50 light fighter aircraft. Barring any unforeseen issues, an actual contract could be signed a few weeks from now in March.

A deal for the FA-50 had been hoped for as early as last year, but a deal could not be agreed upon due to differences on the terms of the contract. A natural disaster in the Philippines caused by a Typhoon further complicated agreement on a contract.

South Korea wanted more upfront payment and less after sales support. The Philippines wanted the opposite, but both sides were able to meet each other half way to work something out.

If a contract is signed in March, the first FA-50 are expected to be delivered 18 months later in the second half of 2015. The Philippines would the become the second export customer for the FA-50 after Iraq and South Korea itself.

Philippines to Buy 12 FA-50 fighter aircraft From South Korea

The Philippines is negotiating the purchase of 12 multi-role FA-50 light fighter aircraft from South Korea. A budget of 18.9 Philippine Pesos or around $465 million has been set aside for the acquisition.

The country has recently stepped up its arms purchases after an ongoing territorial dispute with the People's Republic of China, such as the recent purchase of 3 AW109 helicopters. The country currently has no fighter aircraft available after the retirement of the Northrop Grumman F-5 in 2005.

The FA-50 was developed by Korean Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin and is currently the most advanced fighter version of the T-50 family of aircraft, which consists of:

• the T-50 Golden Eagle trainer version
• the TA-50 light attack version
• the FA-50 light multi-role fighter version

An even more advanced version has been proposed and is known as the F-50.

If the FA-50 acquisition goes through, the Philippines would join South Korea, which has already ordered 20 FA-50 aircraft to be delivered before the end of 2014.

Specifications	T-50
Crew:	2
Length:	13.14 m
Height:	4.94 m
Wingspan:	9.45 m
Empty Weight:	6354 kg
Max Takeoff Weight:	13500 kg
Max Speed:	Mach 1.5
Engine:	General Electric F404 turbofan, 78.8 kn / 8045 kg in afterburner

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-buy-12-korean-fighter-jets-170452924--finance.html

By Tech. Sgt. Lee Osberry [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Philippines purchases 3 AW109 AgustaWestland helicopters and 72 vehicles from South Korea

The Philippines has signed a contract with the Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland for the delivery of 3 AW109 naval helicopters in a deal worth 1.34 billion Philippine Pesos or roughly $33.5 million dollar.

Another contract worth 300.78 Philippine Pesos or $7.5 million dollar was signed with the Korean KIA Motors Corp. for 60 ambulances and 12 five-ton trucks to be used by the army.

All are part of a military modernisation programme on the part of the Philippines, which in recent times has been involved in an ongoing territorial dispute with the People's Republic of China.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/12/27/890578/dnd-signs-p1.6-b-purchase-deal-choppers-ambulances

By Duch.seb (Own work) [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons