SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract with the Philippines on Friday to upgrade 11 FA-50PH fighter jets for about 93 billion won ($65 million).
The deal includes aircraft performance upgrades and follow-on logistics support for jets delivered between 2015 and 2017, with work to be completed by 2029, the South Korean aircraft manufacturer said.
The upgrade will strengthen the FA-50PH's ability to operate precision-guided weapons, extend its range and sustained-operations capability, and improve network-based joint-operations performance, according to KAI.
A total of 23 FA-50PH aircraft, including additional jets contracted in June, are expected to contribute to the Philippine Air Force's airspace defense and modernization efforts.
The upgrade reflects requirements drawn from the Philippine Air Force's operational experience and is aimed at improving aircraft performance and operational efficiency. The project reflects ongoing cooperation based on aircraft capability, stable follow-on support and long-term partnership, KAI said.
The company said the program demonstrates its ability to serve as a "total solution provider," covering the full life cycle from development and production to follow-on support.
Follow-on support and upgrade capabilities over an aircraft's 30- to 40-year service life are increasingly seen as key to export competitiveness, with such costs reaching two to five times the acquisition cost, KAI noted.
The company has operated performance-based logistics programs for about 15 years, from the South Korean Air Force's KT/A-1 to the T-50 and Surion aircraft families, demonstrating improvements in availability and reductions in operating and maintenance costs.
KAI has expanded its global support operations through Iraq's T-50IQ contractor logistics support program in 2022, a performance-based logistics contract for the Philippines' FA-50PH last year, and Indonesia's KT-1B service-life extension program this year.
"This contract once again confirms the trust and cooperative relationship between the Philippine Air Force and KAI," CEO Cha Jae Byung said in a statement. "We will continue to expand our presence in the global defense market through tailored upgrades and systematic follow-on support."
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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