Bulgaria Considers KAI's F/A-50 Golden Eagle for Interim Fleet.

In October 2022, the Bulgarian Air Force, facing increasing difficulties in maintaining its Soviet-designed MiG-29 "Fulcrum" aircraft, announced plans to acquire an interim fleet of combat aircraft. With the F-16 "Viper" aircraft ordered by Sofia not expected to be delivered before 2027, this initiative aimed to fill the potential capability gap. To address this, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) proposed its light fighter, the F/A-50 Golden Eagle.
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The FA-50 is particularly valued for its compatibility with NATO standards and its potential for integration into joint missions, offering a modern and effective solution for air forces seeking a light, versatile fighter (Picture source: KAI)

The KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle is a light multi-role fighter developed by KAI and entered service in 2013. Designed to replace the aging Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II, it is derived from the T-50 Golden Eagle trainer jet and is powered by the General Electric F414 turbofan engine, providing 9980 kgf of thrust with afterburner. With a wingspan of 9.60 meters and a length of 13.20 meters, the FA-50 can reach a maximum speed of 1825 km/h at an altitude of 9100 meters and has a service ceiling of 14,550 meters. Its armament includes a 20mm cannon and a variety of external loads such as AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and guided bombs.

Since its entry into service, the FA-50 has been ordered by several countries, including the Philippines and Iraq, and has demonstrated its capabilities in international exercises. The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) actively uses these aircraft, with plans to acquire up to 150 units by 2025. The FA-50 is particularly valued for its compatibility with NATO standards and its potential for integration into joint missions, offering a modern and effective solution for air forces seeking a light, versatile fighter.

According to Dimitar Stoyanov, then Bulgarian Minister of Defense, requests for proposals were made to four countries—Sweden, France, the United States, and Israel—for combat aircraft. So far, only Sweden and France have responded. However, the project appears to have stalled, partly due to the allocation of available aircraft like Swedish Gripens and French Mirage 2000-5s to Ukraine.

This situation leaves the Bulgarian Air Force with a dilemma as security tensions in the Black Sea region persist. In response, KAI has recently proposed its F/A-50 Golden Eagle to Bulgaria, as reported by the Bulgarian news agency Novinite. In September 2022, KAI signed a €3 billion contract with Poland for 48 units and is considering offering this aircraft to other Central and Eastern European countries with aging fleets.

For Bulgaria, the F/A-50 is seen as an ideal solution to replace its obsolete L-39, MiG-29, and Su-25 aircraft. Additionally, this aircraft could act as a force multiplier once the F-16 Vipers are in service. The supersonic F/A-50 is equipped with sensors similar to those of the F-16 Viper, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar derived from the AN/APG-83 model.

Novinite highlights the F/A-50's integration with NATO standards, such as real-time data exchange via Link 16 and compatibility with Western-designed weaponry. This compatibility ensures smooth integration into NATO joint operations, which is crucial for Bulgaria's participation in regional defense activities.

It remains to be seen if the Bulgarian Air Force will be receptive to these arguments and, more importantly, if it will have the financial means to procure at least one squadron of F/A-50s.