Philippine Air Force's FA-50PH nos. 005 and 006 upon arrival in Taiwan en route to the Philippines (photo : Han chia ho Peter)
FA-50PH with tail number 005 and 006 in Clark Air Base (photo : Rappler)
Arrival ceremony for Philippine Air Force�s fifth and sixth South Korea-made FA-50PH �Fighting Eagle� (005 and 006) was conducted today in Clark Air Base, Pampanga. The ceremony started at 11 am. FA-50PH with tail number 005 touched down 11:05 am, while 006 touched down 11:07.
The Philippines has 12-plane order from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) worth PHP18.9 billion. FA-50PH aircraft are Mach 1.5 capable.
The 1st and 2nd FA-50PHs arrived in November 2015, while the 4th and 3rd arrived a year after. The remaining six aircraft on order are expected to be delivered within this year.
PAF�s FA-50PHs were recently blooded in combat during the surgical air and artillery strike that wounded Abu Sayyaf Group commander Isnilon Hapilon last January 26.
The FA-50PH has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one-and-a-half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 �Sidewinder� air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles, aside from light automatic cannons.
It will act as the country�s interim fighter until the Air Force gets enough experience in operating fast jet assets and budget allocation for more capable fighter aircraft.
With the delivery of additional two South Korean-made FA-50PH �Fighting Eagle� jets, the Philippine Air Force now has six supersonic aircraft that can reach the speed of Mach 1.5 (1852.2 km/hour) or 1.5 times faster than the speed of sound.
FA-50PH with tail number 005 touched down 11:05 am in Clark Air Base, while 006 touched down at 11:07, February 22.
The Philippine Air Force ordered 12 units of FA-50PHs from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) worth 18.9 billion pesos.
The 1st and 2nd FA-50PHs arrived in November 2015, while the 4th and 3rd arrived a year after. The remaining six aircraft on order are expected to be delivered within this year.
These aircraft will act as the country�s interim fighter until the Philippine Air Force gets enough experience in operating fast jet assets and budget allocation for more capable fighter aircraft.
PAF�s FA-50PHs were recently blooded in combat during the surgical air and artillery strike that wounded Abu Sayyaf Group commander Isnilon Hapilon last January 26.