FA-50PL Project Stalls Amid Ambitious Delivery Schedule
The rapid modernization of the Polish Air Force, which began in the early 2020s, faces a setback as deliveries of the FA-50PL stall. An original ambitious initial delivery date of 2025 will likely slipp to 2027 at the earliest. The reasons behind the delay in the deliveries of the South Korean jets include permissions and component and systems licensing.
As a brief reminder, it is worth noting that the PAF is utilizing several various combat aircraft, including MiG-29s, retiring this year Su-22M4s, F-16C/D Block 52 Advanced, as well as its newest F-35As, which currently serve for training new pilots in the US. In addition, Poland has recently obtained 12 Korean F/A-50 ‘Gap Fillers’ light multirole jets to make up for the donations of MiG-29s to Ukraine. These ‘Gap Fillers’ were taken from the inventory of the Republic of Korea Air Force. One of the key reasons for the selection of the FA-50PL was that the Korean aircraft share numerous avionics systems, cockpit layout, and ground support elements with the F-16. It is hoped that the operation of FA-50PLs will shorten the F-16 training flying hours needed for Poland’s future Fighting Falco pilots to qualify.
The KAI F/A-50 GF variant stationed at Minsk Mazowiecki have been reportedly crippled throughout 2024 due to lack of combat flight simulator and pilots certification issues, among others. However, this was not the only problem that PAF encountered while exploiting the jet. F/A-50 GF’s outdated avionics and systems force the use of an older type of weaponry. For example the AIM-9X, the latest variant of the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, cannot be utilized. Instead, the jet is integrated with the older AIM-9L and AIM-9P, which the PAF does not use. To fix this issue, the Ministry of Defense launched a special procurement commission that has only now been able to reach an agreement for the lease of an unspecified number of AIM-9P missiles from South Korea.
At this stage of the “PL” variant’s development the main parties: Polish Armament Agency, KAI, and Lockheed Martin, have to untangle the complex legal route of gaining access to patented components to integrate desired weapons and survivability systems. As far as the negotiations went, the main issue remaining is the lack of export agreement for GPS and armament systems from the US, placing the program in limbo. Additionally, it is reported that KAI are still waiting for permission from Washington to integrate AMRAAM air-to-air missile on the FA-50PL.
Despite a recent agreement signalling an expanded strategic partnership between KAI and Lockheed Martin being signed in Paris this week, the subject of the F/A-50 PL was not mentioned. The delivery delay of the first batch of the jets will most likely surpass 18 months, which pushes the initial delivery date to mid-2027.