Korea Aerospace Industries awarded contract for 20 TA-50 Block 2 training/light attack aircraft.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said it had awarded Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) contract for 20 TA-50 Block 2 aircraft.

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TA-50 group display at ROKAF air base (Picture source: Republic of Korea Air Force)

The deal, concluded with Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, is worth around KRW688 billion ($573 million). The deal also covers support for the aircraft, which are to be delivered by 2024.

The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin.. The TA-50 variant is a more heavily armed version of the T-50 trainer, intended for lead-in fighter training and light attack roles. In 2011, the first squadron with the TA-50, become operational with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The new planes will replace KF-16 fighters, according to DAPA officials.

The Block 2 is an upgraded variant of the TA-50 Block 1, 22 units of which are currently in ROKAFservice.

Republic of Korea Air Force T-50 (Picture source: Sergey Ryabtsev)