The Philippines and South Korea are reportedly close to finalising an agreement for the acquisition of 12 additional FA-50PH Block 20 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), as part of an ongoing effort to expand...
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The Philippines and South Korea are reportedly close to finalising an agreement for the acquisition of 12 additional FA-50PH Block 20 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), as part of an ongoing effort to expand the country’s air defence capabilities.
Sources close to PAF indicated that the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the procurement have already been completed, forming the foundation for a forthcoming contract under the PAF’s Fighter/Surface Attack Aircraft/Lead-in Fighter Trainer (F/SAA/LIFT) Phase 2 programme. The acquisition forms part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Re-Horizon 3 modernisation plan.
The move confirms a long-anticipated decision by the Philippine government to pursue a second batch of FA-50PHs. Since 2018, the PAF has evaluated the need for additional aircraft to augment its initial fleet, and senior defence officials have now confirmed that the procurement is proceeding.
In April 2025, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the planned acquisition remains on course. “The additional FA-50s—the other 12 fighter jets—are more likely to be acquired as they are already in the pipeline,” he told reporters, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency.
The new batch will be procured under a separate budget and process from the ongoing Multirole Fighter (MRF) Acquisition Project. The PAF’s recommendation for the FA-50 procurement has been formally submitted to the Department of National Defense (DND).
The existing FA-50PH fleet consists of 11 aircraft delivered between 2015 and 2017 under a PHP18.9 billion contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). In March 2025, one aircraft was lost in a night-time combat support mission in the southern Philippines, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The fleet was temporarily grounded for investigation but has since resumed operations.
Meanwhile, the PAF continues to assess its options for acquiring multirole fighters. Gen. Brawner confirmed that platforms such as the F-16 Viper and JAS-39 Gripen are still under consideration, with affordability and operational requirements being key factors.
He also welcomed the recent announcement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which disclosed in early April that the US State Department had approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Philippines involving 20 F-16 fighter jets, estimated at USD5.58 billion. However, no final decision has been made regarding the offer.
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