* June 14, 2025: KAI replaces “Block 20” with “Block 70” Designation for the FA-50 Aircraft it sold to the Philippines and Poland
After around a Week and a half of silence since the Manufacturer "Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)" announced that the Philippines bought another dozen of their FA-50 Aircraft, the Department of National Defense (DND) finally announced also the Sale.
The biggest surprise is that they officially used the Designation "Block 70" for the Aircraft. Initially I just rolled my Eyes and thought that they had somehow confused that Designation with the F-16C Fighting Falcon which, of course has that Designation for their latest Version.
However, after giving it some thought, I decided to do some search on Google, and true enough, I found one South Korean Website, the "Defense Today" which used the Block 70 Designation for the FA-50 as early as March of last Year of 2024.
Note that the majority of the International Defense Publications have not used this Designation until recently, it had always been "Block 20". From what I can tell, it seems that there is a direct replacement of the "Block 20" Designation to "Block 70".
Quoting from the "Defense Today" Articles:
- "KAI CEO Kang Koo-young proposed the FA-50 Block 70, the latest improved Model being introduced by Poland and Malaysia, to the Thai Air Force."
- "The FA-50M Light Fighter being introduced by Malaysia is an improved Version of the FA-50 Block 70. Poland has already finalized 36 FA-50 Block 70 Aircraft, and Production Work is also Underway."
The KAI Website itself does not show any Reference or Explanation about the different “Block” Versions on their Main Section of the FA-50, which is why there is some confusion about the Nature of these Designations. To clarify Things up, I think KAI needs to explain these Block Designations on their Website itself.
Since there is no official Explanation on why this change was made, I suspect that its main Reason is to help in the Marketing of the F-16C, to identify closer with the FA-50. Remember that the Manufacturer of the F-16C, Lockheed Martin, is instrumental in the Design and Development of the FA-50 Aircraft.
SOURCES:
* June 4, 2025: Philippines finally signs the Contract for the acquisition of 12 brand new FA-50 Block 20 Aircraft from South Korea
The South Korean Press is reporting that the Philippine Government has just signed a Contract for the acquisition of 12 brand new FA-50 Aircraft from the “Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)” Company worth Usd 700 million, and that the Contract includes Logistical Support.
Delivery of all 12 Aircraft is expected to be completed by 2030. You can access the Article at the “Chosunbiz” Website here: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-industry/2025/06/04/P6LVXB6JUZFGXKDQPGFONGGBRQ/
MY THOUGHTS:
Previous News Reports say that the Aircraft will be the latest FA-50 Block 20 Version. The Price per Aircraft with this Contract comes down to Usd 58.3 million per Unit, which is a big Jump from the Usd 35 million per Unit when we bought the older Model back in 2014.
But that is probably because we are buying a newer Model, and more Logistical Support is included in the Contract. And the FA-50 has become a lot more popular than we first bought it, so the Supplier has likely raised its Price a bit also.
May 18, 2025: As FA-50PH Aircraft Patrols Philippine Rise, Philippines has still not done Mining on the Area even after 8 Years of renaming it
Just some nice Pictures of the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) conducting an Aerial Patrol over the 'Talampas ng Pilipinas' (Philippine Rise) in celebration of the 8th Anniversary of it being renamed from "Benham Rise".
You can access the original Photos on the Facebook Page of the “5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command” here: https://web.facebook.com/5thFighterWingPAF/posts/pfbid037Au2w9zor2R8PmW11BPVikPpMzesZ5PcG4s2pGrP8DiNjUwaqkGQwYgpL1ZhdXJil
MY THOUGHTS:
Did anybody notice that, EIGHT full Years after it was renamed, the Philippines still has not done any Deep Sea Mining Activities in the Area at all? All these Years I thought the United States (US) or its Allies would help the Philippines explore and mine that Area, but NO, NOTHING up to now.
Meanwhile, every time a Chinese Survey Vessel happens to pass by there, they suddenly make a lot of Noise about it, which is absolutely ridiculous, considering that we have not done anything in the Area ourselves, it is just being completely WASTED ...
SOURCE: 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command Facebook Page Post, 05/18/25 – 1526H {Archived Link}
March 25, 2025: PAF FA-50PH Aircraft could be reactivated this Week, likely to Participate in the Cope Thunder Exercise in April 2025
The Spokesperson of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said during a Press Briefing recently at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City that their Comprehensive Inspection of the Fleet of FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft is almost complete, and that they may lift the Order grounding the Aircraft as soon as this Week.
The remaining 11 FA-50PH Aircraft were grounded last March 5, 2025 after the Tragic Crash of one of the Aircraft in Bukidnon where its two PAF Pilots died.
On a related Note, the PAF and the United States Air Force (USAF) is set to conduct the first Part of their annual Military Exercise in Northern Luzon next Month from April 7 to 18, 2025 which will be called "Cope Thunder PH 25-1".
MY NOTES:
It looks like the PAF won’t wait anymore for the result of the Investigation of Crash in Bukidnon before reactivating their FA-50PH Aircraft so they can join in the upcoming Exercise with the United States (US).
That is not such a bad Thing as the FA-50PH Aircraft are our most capable Aircraft at the Moment, so they want to take Advantage of a relatively rare Exercise to further hone their Capabilities. Plus the US of course is spending a lot of Money to mobilize their Assets for the Exercise.
SOURCES:
March 6, 2025: PAF says Proposal to acquire 12 more FA-50PH Aircraft has already been officially submitted to the DND
The Spokesperson of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo recently said that a Proposal to acquire an additional 12 FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft from South Korea (SK) has now been submitted to the Department of National Defense (DND).
Col. Consuelo said that this acquisition will enhance the Philippines' Defense Capability, and boost the Military Intelligence, Area Denial and Deterrence Capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), but that it will still be up to the DND if the Proposal will be approved.
MY NOTES:
This official Proposal is very good News indeed, but the timing of the announcement is Way off because of the recent Tragedy involving the FA-50PH. Definitely no Contract could or should be signed until the Result of the official Investigation to the Tragedy has come out.
And even then, it also depends on what the Result of the Investigation is, if there is some Issue involving the Aircraft is found out, then that should Delay or even Cancel further acquisition of the Aircraft, although I don’t think anything is wrong with the Aircraft despite this Tragic Incident.
Here is the Link to the Article on the “Philippine News Agency (PNA)” Website: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1245519
March 5, 2025: One of the Crew of the Philippine Air Force FA-50 Aircraft that crashed recently on Mount Kalatungan was himself from Bukidnon
Oh my gad, what a Twist, as if this whole crash of the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) wasn’t Tragic enough. It turns out that one of Crew of the Aircraft, First Lieutenant April John Dadulla, was himself from Bukidnon.
One of the Sons that the Province of Bukidnon is proudest of who became one of the Pilots of our most capable Aircraft as of now, ironically passed away on the very same Province he was born in. And on top of that, what’s even worse was that he was supposed to be wed to a fellow Fighter Pilot of his in around ten Days time until the Tragedy happened.
He was only 29 Years old. My Condolences to the Families of the two Airmen, and may they Rest in Peace. Thank you for all your invaluable Contributions to our Country.
Here is the Link to the “Newsline Philippines” Website: https://newsline.ph/love-cut-short-fallen-fighter-pilot-was-days-away-from-wedding/
March 4, 2025: An FA-50PH Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force went missing after a Tactical Night Operation
Sad News after an FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) went missing around after 12:00 am this Morning of March 4, 2025. The FA-50PH was conducting a Tactical Night Operation when it lost Communication with another FA-50PH Aircraft it was flying with just minutes before it reached its Target.
The Aircraft was supposed to land back at Mactan Air Base in Cebu after the Operation, but it didn't, and repeated Attempts to contact the Aircraft since then has been unsuccessful. The Contract for 12 FA-50PH Aircraft was signed back in 2014 under the Administration of former and late President Benigno Aquino III, and the first Aircraft entered Service with the PAF back in 2015.
This is the first serious Incident associated with the FA-50PH with the PAF after around a Decade of Operation, I hope that the Pilots were able to eject if the Aircraft did fail and were able to survive whatever Problems they encountered.
Here is the Link to the Article at the “Inquirer.net” Website: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2040249/philipiine-air-force-fighter-jet-goes-missing
January 8, 2025: FA-50PH Pics during new PAF Commanding General’s Visit
Just some of the latest Pictures of the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Basa Air Base during the first Official Visit there of Lieutenant General Arthur M. Cordura as the new Commanding General of the PAF. Among other Activities, Gen. Cordura was given a Tactical Demonstration Flight onboard an FA-50PH during his Visit.
Here is the Link containing the original Pictures to the Post of the Facebook Page of the 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command of the PAF: https://web.facebook.com/5thFighterWingPAF/posts/pfbid02TU7R4qLaAzG6aTZCZNqP2igQqrrNDVYBvCW9hPMKNohhCn9NRvBsFQPDLnJyiFJxl
SOURCE: 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command Facebook Page Post, 01/09/25 – 1004H {Archived Link}
July 30, 2024: FA-50PH and Rafales flies over West Zambales
The FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Rafale Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft of the France Air and Space Force (FASF) conducted Basic Flight Maneuvers (BFM) over West Zambales recently.
The FA-50PH and Rafales then flew with an A330M Transport Aircraft and an A400M Military Transport Aircraft where the Rafales demonstrated their Air to Air Refueling Capability with the A330M and A400M.
This Joint Exercise is Part of the French Military's Projection of a Heavy Air Package in South East Asia (PEGASE) 2024 Mission which, for the first time ever, included the Philippines.
Here is the Link to the PAF Facebook Page containing the original Pictures: https://web.facebook.com/piopaf/posts/pfbid0UH6ByX9C2Syv2XS22bzLrFSuGFEjkNpdam1URHLBP1w5UweovoaLLM4vudEtYnKyl
SOURCE: Philippine Air Force Facebook Page Post, 07/30/24 - 1632H {Archived Link}
January 9, 2024: PAF 5FW blesses Assets and Facilities
The 5th Fighter Wing (5FW) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) conducted the Annual Blessing Ceremony of their Assets and Facilities including their FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft. The 5FW that this is a new Tradition that they only instituted recently.
We also get to have a good look at some of the Hangars they are keeping their FA-50PH Aircraft. I think this Ceremony also now added +100 Holy Armor Protection and/or another +100 Holy Damage Attack on the Assets that were blessed … Just kidding, :D.
Here is the Link to the Post containing the original Photos at the 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command Page on Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/5thFighterWingPAF/posts/pfbid02s4rcYDTsa65QsbzXpscrY1rQLChYv3kZkHZ7GrF7rqStsm3PGjKzZM36rYL9tBdXl
SOURCE: 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command Facebook Page Post, 01/09/23 – 2113H {Archived Link}
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