Posted on 02/21/2014 12:26:21 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has approved a payment plan to acquire 12 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 light combat aircraft, a local media outlet said, Friday.
The nations lone airplane manufacturer also confirmed the report.
KAI has teamed up with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to sell the aircraft through a government-to-government program, estimated at $420 million (451 billion won).
According to the report by the Star, the Philippines defense department is seeking to complete negotiations with KAI within the week.
We have sights on finalizing the contract by the end of March, said a KIA official.
He added that its staff is currently in negotiations with the Philippine side to complete the deal.
The defense department has been allowed to make an advance payment of 15 percent of the total contract price to KAI, which initially wanted a 52 percent down payment to cover manufacturing costs, the report said.
The government would deliver payment upon completion of certain milestones or progress related to the construction of the jets, it reported.
Both sides also agreed to the turnaround time for the jets parts at 60 days under a two-year warranty.
Although a final contract was expected within last year after the Manila government signed a memorandum of understanding, the decision was delayed after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Southeast Asian country in November.
The FA-50 is a variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer that was co-developed with U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, which was designed to replace F-5 class aircraft operated by the Korean Air Force.
In December, KAI signed a contract for a $1.1 billion deal to export 24 FA-50s to Iraq, the most lucrative defense export deal by local players.
The company is also seeking to export T-50 family jets to Peru, Chile and Botswana, while eyeing the U.S. Air Forces T-38 replacement program this year ― a plan to purchase 350 new aircraft worth billions of dollars.
I’m guessing 35 million a piece is cheap. But if they’re going against China they might be better suited to have a few submarines and a good air defense system.
BTW, as much as I personally benefited from foreign equipment sales, I’d think twice about buying American. Lately the US has played too much politics with sales. Korea or Israel is a better choice. Korea for the price conscious and Israel for high tech.
Looks kind of like the offspring of a T-38 and an F-16.
“Looks kind of like the offspring of a T-38 and an F-16.”
I KNEW those F-16’s couldn’t be trusted!
Against China, yes. But this aircraft is probably intended for use against domestic insurgents.
I KNEW those F-16s couldnt be trusted!
MAybe it was RAPE... and the baby wasnt aborted..
Never could trust any Clintoon..
Wonder if anyone has thought about integrating Harpoon or their own Hyunmu cruise missile with it?
Aren’t planes with propellers just as good in that role and cheaper to operate?
Against China, yes. But this aircraft is probably intended for use against domestic insurgents.
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That’s what I’m thinking ,, the “A” in FA should refer to “attack” as in ground support... personally I’d have gone with the cheaper turboprop attack/support planes out there... turboprop climbs better from slow speeds. Maybe they can get some newer helicopters from the european armies that are selling...
Why you bustin' on the Falcon? Those Talon's are little harlots. Just look at they trapse about, all sleek and shiny. Trollops, I tell you!
Looks like it has a little Russian colorization too...
Man, that f-16 got around...
Or as some of my Navy brothers would say, “Bar Fine Time!”
Hey now, General, the T-38 is much older than the F-16. If anything it was the Talon that was messing where it didn't belong.
Also, the more I look at it, it has a little F-18 in those forward wing edge “chines”...
Talk about one Heinz 57 red-headed stepchild!!!
“Against China, yes. But this aircraft is probably intended for use against domestic insurgents. “
If it’s really for domestic use than a prop job like the Super Tucano would be a better and cheaper option.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embraer_EMB_314_Super_Tucano
This is an AT-6 ,, cost , about $6M
It probably gets great gas mileage!...................
I agree. The PAF retired the last of it’s F-5s back in 2005 and other than some AS 211s they haven’t had any go-fasts combat capable.
For ground support they have a dozen or so OV-10s but they are under review for replacement by something like the AT-6 or Tucano.
at6 only exists on paper..
super tucano is tried and tested and battle ready
I have no doubt Beech could build any number you want of the AT6 ,, as to “existing only on paper” ,, your “super tucano” exists only on paper also ... until you put in a purchase order... they don’t exactly build them and then hope for a sale....
Lets just agree that turboprop ground attack is the way to go ... The Philippines needs low hourly operating costs ... and jet doesn’t do that ... I wish we would give them a few dozen A-10’s with spares ...
The Super Tucano is in service or in production for around 8-10 air forces. That’s a lot for this category.
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