KAI's FA-50 participates in NATO Days 2023

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), South Korea's sole military aircraft manufacturer, announced on Monday that its FA-50GF light fighter exported to the Polish Air Force participated in the "NATO Days 2023" held in Ostrava, the Czech Republic, on Sept. 16-17, showcasing the excellence of domestically produced aircraft.

It was the first time that domestically manufactured aircraft participated in a NATO event, and this achievement comes just one year after South Korea signed an export contract for the FA-50 light combat aircraft with Poland in Sept. last year.

The 23rd NATO Days in 2023, which included exhibitions, flights, and military exercises featuring various military aircraft from 16 NATO member countries, including the Czech Republic, the US, the UK, as well as Brazil, Austria, and Switzerland.

Poland, a special partner country in NATO Days 2023, showcased the FA-50GF, which is being delivered to the Polish Air Force.

The first and second units of the Polish export version of the FA-50GF made their debut in European skies on Aug. 15, Poland's Armed Forces Day, and they are gaining attention as core models to replace the nation's mainstay fighter, the MiG-29.

KAI is currently in the process of delivering a large-scale export of 48 FA-50s to Poland, with the fastest delivery period in history. By the end of this year, the company will deliver 12 FA-50GFs initially, and the remaining 36 will be delivered sequentially from the second half of 2025 to 2028, in the improved FA-50PL version tailored to the requirements of the Polish Air Force.

The FA-50PL boasts outstanding air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities compared to the MiG-29 fighter, as well as high operational capabilities, including network-centric warfare using AESA radar and data links, and air-to-air refueling capability.

It has gained attention in the European market for its high compatibility with NATO member countries' weapon systems and cost-effectiveness in operational and maintenance expenses.

KAI plans to use Poland as a marketing hub in the European market and continue to promote the excellence of domestically produced aircraft to potential customers in Europe, who are seeking to replace aging fighter aircraft.

"We will follow up the marketing success of the FA-50 with the KF-21 Boramae," CEO of KAI Kang Goo-Young said. 

Write to Mi-Sun Kang at misunny@hankyung.com