Poland’s plan to purchase 48 FA-50 light attack aircraft from South Korea is reportedly being reconsidered, as technical challenges and cost hikes spark disputes over weapon system integration, putting the entire deal under review.
The Polish government, which signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in September 2022, is questioning the fulfillment of the agreement, specifically concerning the integration of U.S.-made air-to-air missiles into the aircraft.
Poland received the first 12 of the aircraft in December 2023, with the remaining 36 expected by 2028. However, the disagreement centers on differing interpretations of the contract. Poland insists that KAI had committed to equipping the FA-50s with U.S.-made missiles, while KAI maintains that this was only listed as a possibility and not a binding requirement.
The issue escalated with a complaint filed by Poland, which was brought up during an October 2 meeting between Poland’s Deputy Minister of Defense and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun. KAI has labeled Poland’s demands as unreasonable.
The FA-50, developed by KAI for the South Korean Air Force, is currently in service with several countries, including Indonesia, Iraq, the Philippines, and Thailand, and is also expected to be procured by Slovakia.