New TA-50 Block 2 Trainer Jet Successfully Delivered to Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korean state arms procurement agency Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) delivered the first model of the new TA-50 Block 2 trainer jet to the Republic of Korea Air Force on Thursday.

This delivery is part of a 1 trillion-won ($771.8 million) project aimed at supplying 20 TA-50 Block 2 trainers to the Air Force by 2026.

The TA-50 Block 2 is a domestic supersonic jet, a variant of the T-50 series manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. It is designed for training future fighter pilots in arms and radar operations and other tactical maneuvers before their assignment to fighter units, according to the DAPA.

Compared with its predecessor, the TA-50 Block 1, the new Block 2 version is equipped with lighting suitable for night vision equipment and has improved joint direct attack munition operational capabilities.

The T-50 series, which includes the FA-50 light attack aircraft, is already in service with countries such as Poland and the Philippines.