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FA-50 sale to Philippines closer to completion
The Korea Times ^ | 2014-02-21 | Kang Seung-woo

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 nation’s 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 Force’s T-38 replacement program this year ― a plan to purchase 350 new aircraft worth billions of dollars.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: fa50; philippines; rokaf; southkorea
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1 posted on 02/21/2014 12:26:21 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

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.


2 posted on 02/21/2014 12:33:29 PM PST by Gen.Blather
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To: Gen.Blather

Looks kind of like the offspring of a T-38 and an F-16.


3 posted on 02/21/2014 12:40:42 PM PST by Antihero101607
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To: Antihero101607

“Looks kind of like the offspring of a T-38 and an F-16.”

I KNEW those F-16’s couldn’t be trusted!


4 posted on 02/21/2014 12:42:12 PM PST by Gen.Blather
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To: Gen.Blather
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.

Against China, yes. But this aircraft is probably intended for use against domestic insurgents.

5 posted on 02/21/2014 12:43:32 PM PST by JoeFromSidney (Book: Resistance to Tyranny. Buy from Amazon.)
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To: Gen.Blather

I KNEW those F-16’s couldn’t be trusted!


MAybe it was RAPE... and the baby wasnt aborted..
Never could trust any Clintoon..


6 posted on 02/21/2014 12:53:06 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: JoeFromSidney
Don't need sidewinders for domestic insurgents. This aircraft is a light weight fighter, an F5 replacement.

Wonder if anyone has thought about integrating Harpoon or their own Hyunmu cruise missile with it?

7 posted on 02/21/2014 12:54:25 PM PST by InABunkerUnderSF (Explain again, why don't you need to fill out form 4473 to buy a pressure cooker?)
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To: JoeFromSidney

Aren’t planes with propellers just as good in that role and cheaper to operate?


8 posted on 02/21/2014 12:55:19 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: JoeFromSidney

Against China, yes. But this aircraft is probably intended for use against domestic insurgents.
**************************
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...


9 posted on 02/21/2014 12:57:06 PM PST by Neidermeyer (I used to be disgusted , now I try to be amused.)
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To: Gen.Blather
I KNEW those F-16’s couldn’t be trusted!

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!

10 posted on 02/21/2014 12:57:29 PM PST by rjsimmon (1-20-2013 The Tree of Liberty Thirsts)
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To: Antihero101607; Gen.Blather

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!”


11 posted on 02/21/2014 1:00:27 PM PST by stevie_d_64 (It's not the color of one's skin that offends people...it's how thin it is.)
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To: Gen.Blather
I KNEW those F-16’s couldn’t be trusted!

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.

12 posted on 02/21/2014 1:02:26 PM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: All

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!!!


13 posted on 02/21/2014 1:03:35 PM PST by stevie_d_64 (It's not the color of one's skin that offends people...it's how thin it is.)
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To: JoeFromSidney

“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


14 posted on 02/21/2014 1:06:18 PM PST by Gen.Blather
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To: BenLurkin

This is an AT-6 ,, cost , about $6M

15 posted on 02/21/2014 1:06:46 PM PST by Neidermeyer (I used to be disgusted , now I try to be amused.)
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To: Gen.Blather

It probably gets great gas mileage!...................


16 posted on 02/21/2014 1:14:33 PM PST by Red Badger (LIberal is an oxymoron......................)
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To: InABunkerUnderSF

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.


17 posted on 02/21/2014 1:22:52 PM PST by FAA
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To: Neidermeyer

at6 only exists on paper..

super tucano is tried and tested and battle ready


18 posted on 02/21/2014 2:56:56 PM PST by joe fonebone (a socialist is just a juvenile communist)
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To: joe fonebone

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 ...


19 posted on 02/21/2014 4:03:22 PM PST by Neidermeyer (I used to be disgusted , now I try to be amused.)
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To: Neidermeyer

The Super Tucano is in service or in production for around 8-10 air forces. That’s a lot for this category.


20 posted on 02/22/2014 12:09:30 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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