Parts Supply Slowdown Keeps Some of Philippines FA-50PH Fighter Aircraft Out of Service

Slowdown in the supply of parts has kept an unspecified number out of 12 FA-50PH fighter jet aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) currently out of service.

"While it is true that we have FA-50 aircraft that are currently on non-operational status, most of them are just ongoing scheduled maintenance,” PAF spokesperson, Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo was quoted as saying by the Philippines News Agency.

She said that the delays in deliveries of these parts are largely affected by the slowdown of the supply chain due to recent global events.

Reports earlier said only three of 12 FA-50PHs are operational at this time due to sustainability issues.

"Some are also awaiting spares which are coming from abroad. These parts are mostly what we call Time Change Items (TCI) and they need to be replaced after certain hours," Castillo was quoted as saying.

Suggesting that the PAF is likely to acquire addition aircraft she said, "with the prospects of additional aircraft as part of our modernization plans, our Air Force can even be so much better."

The South Korea-made FA-50PH is the PAF's most modern air combat aircraft with the PAF and is used for air defense, attack, and support missions.