Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) held a Roll-out ceremony for the FA-50 #1 aircraft, which is being exported to Poland, at its headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do on June 7, 2023.
This achievement is remarkable as it marks the shortest timeframe of just 8 months from the contract signing in September 2022 to the release of a combat aircraft. The successful and efficient manufacturing process of KAI, combined with strong support from the Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Korea Air Force, contributed to this impressive feat.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 100 distinguished guests, including CEO KANG Goo-young of KAI, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister MariuszBłaszcza from the Polish Ministry of National Defense, Minister LEE Jong-sup from the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense, General JUNG Sang-hwa, Chief of Staff of the ROK Air Force, Directorate Brig. General Ireneusz Nowak, Chief of the Air Force of Poland, Minister EOM Dong-hwan from DAPA in the Republic of Korea, and Ambassador Piotr Ostaszewski of Poland to the Republic of Korea.
The Roll-out ceremony holds significant importance as it allows the public to witness the actual aircraft that was previously only seen on blueprints. The theme of the ceremony, "Firm Commitment, Secure Future," symbolizes the dedication to safeguarding the sovereign airspace of both Poland and the Republic of Korea, as well as the friendly relationship between the two nations.
The FA-50 #1 aircraft is named FA-50GF (Gap Filler) and serves the purpose of addressing strategic gaps in Poland by swiftly replacing aging airfighters and ensuring a timely readiness for military missions. Following the completion of flight tests by the end of July, the FA-50GF will be available for use starting in August. The delivery of the first 12 FA-50GFs is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.
“Thanks to the speedy release of FA-50GF, Poland is now able to equip itself with more advanced military strategies and realize the military modernization. I look forward to seeing FA-50GF fly in the airspace of Poland,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister MariuszBłaszcza, National Defense of Poland.
“This will be an opportunity to enhance the cooperation in national defense and defense market both in Poland and the Republic of Korea,” said Minister LEE Jong-sup of National Defense of the Republic of Korea.
“I appreciate the ROK Air Force and many others from both Poland and South Korea, who never spare their effort to support the development and the manufacturing of the aircraft until we see the first release of FA-50GF,” said CEO Kang Goo-young of KAI. “We will exert ourselves to create aircrafts that Korean and Polish citizens can rely on through its thorough testing and assessment.”
According to the contract, KAI is scheduled to consecutively provide 36 FA-50PLs (Poland) out of the maximum contract number of 48 between the 2nd half of 2025 and 2028, which is the upgraded version of FA-50 with the highest level of specifications by reflecting the needs and the requests from the Polish Air Force.
FA-50PL is upgraded with overall functions by extending its range through the aerial refueling function and enhancing the active electronically scanned array (AESA), and air-to-surface and air-to-air weapons, which is expected to contribute to develop the Air Force of Poland.
FA-50PL is a combat aircraft, which can carry out various missions including special tactics and fighter duties. With its outstanding compatibility with F-16, FA-50PL is optimized for fighter training for the 5th generation jets such as F-35, which is expected to play its role as a core type of aircraft for the Air Force of Poland.
