Korea, Poland celebrate rollout of Warsaw's first FA-50

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Mon, December 4, 2023 | 16:08

Defense

Korea, Poland celebrate rollout of Warsaw's first FA-50

Posted : 2023-06-07 17:08

Updated : 2023-06-08 10:06

The FA-50GF light combat aircraft, which will be exported to Poland, is displayed during its rollout ceremony at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of KAI

Poland emerging as top client for Korean defense industry

By Nam Hyun-woo

Defense ministers of Korea and Poland decided to strengthen national defense and defense industry cooperation, during their meeting on the occasion of the roll-out ceremony of the Korean-made FA-50GF light combat aircraft which will be exported to Poland, Wednesday.

The ceremony and the defense ministers' meeting came as Poland is emerging as one of the biggest clients for the Korean defense industry. Speculation is growing that Warsaw, which has already purchased Korean howitzers, tanks and aircraft, may add other weapons to its shopping cart.

According to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Korea's Ministry of National Defense, Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and his Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak attended the ceremony at the KAI headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, to celebrate the delivery of the first FA-50GF.

The FA-50GF is a Polish version of the FA-50. KAI and Poland's Armament Agency signed a contract in September last year to supply a total of 48 FA-50 jets. GF stands for the "gap filler" meant to replace Poland's aging fleet with the new aircraft.

After flight tests through next month, KAI plans to supply 12 FA-50GFs by the end of this year. KAI is scheduled to consecutively provide 36 FA-50PLs out of the maximum contract number of 48 between the second half of 2025 and 2028. The FA-50PL is an upgraded version of FA-50 with the highest level of specifications reflecting the needs and requests of the Polish Air Force.

"This will be an opportunity to enhance the cooperation in national defense and defense market both in Poland and Korea," Minister Lee said during the ceremony.

"Thanks to the speedy release of FA-50GF, Poland is now able to equip itself with more advanced military strategies and realize the military modernization," Blaszczak said. "I look forward to seeing FA-50GF fly in the airspace of Poland."

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, sixth from right, and Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak, sixth from left, applaud during the rollout ceremony of the FA-50GF light combat aircraft which will be exported to Poland, at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of KAI

Following the ceremony, the ministers held a joint committee on defense industry cooperation between the two countries and reaffirmed the Polish government's trust in Korean weapon systems and the two countries' intentions to deepen the partnership, according to Seoul's defense ministry.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has been emerging as a big client for the Korean defense industry, purchasing weapons worth $13.7 billion (17.7 trillion won). Along with the light attacker, the European country has signed contracts to purchase Korean-made K-9 self-propelled howitzers, the K-2 battle tanks and the Chunmoo multiple-rocket launchers.

Last month, Sebastian Chwałek, president of the Management Board of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), met Korean defense contractors in South Gyeongsang Province and discussed whether to expand the existing deals.

Against this backdrop, speculation is growing that Poland may consider purchasing Korean submarines as part of its new generation submarine acquisition program, called the Orka project.

According to Polish news reports, Blaszczak participated in the Defense 24 Day conference in Warsaw on May 24 and said that the country will launch Orka project this year, adding it seeks to invite both potential contractors from Europe and from outside Europe to the procurement project.

The defense minister said that the new submarines should feature endurance as well as the capability to use cruise missiles to attack land targets, according to local news outlet Defense24.

namhw@koreatimes.co.kr