Final Batch Of Military Training Aircraft From S Korea To Arrive In Philippines This Week

Philippine Air Force (PAF) will receive the final batch of two FA-50PH training aircraft from South Korea Wednesday.

The final batch of FA-50PH Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighters Training Aircraft with tail numbers 011 and 012 from South Korea at the Haribon Hangar, Air Force City, Clark Air Base, Pampanga, Air Force spokesman Col. Antonio Francisco was quoted as saying by Manila Bulletin Monday.

The final batch of the FA-50PH training aircraft will arrive before noon into the country by pilots from the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI). The first batch of supersonic jets arrived in the country on November 28, 2015.

The arrival of the planes is expected to further strengthen or boost the PAF’s air capabilities, including the training of their personnel, Francisco said.

“The planes will also help boost the training capabilities of our pilots, it will also be used for training purposes so that our pilots will acquire more skills in flying fighter jets or supersonic jets,” he said.

This arrival of the planes is part of the PAF’s purchase of 12 fighter jets worth P18.9 billion from Korea Aerospace Industries.

The FA-50 PH has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one-and-a-half times the speed of sound and is capable to be fitted with air-to-air missiles, the PAF said. The missiles include the AIM-9 “Sidewinder” air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles.