The T-50 Golden Eagle is a success in the market, prepared to become a training jet for the F-35
15`The light jet trainer/fighter aircraft made by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) achieved success in the market with more than 200 production units now operating in various countries.
Indonesia has acquired 16 T-50i units since 2011 for US$400 million and is now adding another six units through a contract worth US$240 million signed in July 2021.
An additional six T-50i for Indonesia along with related components, will be completed by 30 October 2024.
In November 2018, KAI's contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense worth USD 89 million was also signed to provide radar systems and machine guns, in addition to the supply of three KT-1B Woongbi.
Besides Indonesia, in December 2013, KAI also signed a contract to export 24 units of T-50IQ to Iraq.
Then there is the Philippines which acquired 12 FA-50PH. Then Thailand acquired 12 T-50TH and added two units to make it 14 units.
KAI's latest order comes from Poland where Warsaw has committed to acquire 48 FA-50PLs worth up to $3 billion under a broader South Korean weapons package that also includes the Hyundai Rotem K2 Black Panther main battle tank and the Hanwha K9 155mm self-propelled howitzer.
The first group of 12 FA-50PLs will ship in mid-2023, with the rest to follow at an undisclosed time.
KAI will also establish a maintenance, repair (MRO) center in Poland as well as an international pilot training school using the FA-50 aircraft.
The company stated that the deal will run until October 30, 2024 and will include related logistics support.
The T-50 Golden Eagle was originally designed by KAI with the help of Lockheed Martin as a single-engine supersonic aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF).
The aircraft is made to international requirements as an affordable advanced trainer (LIFT) and light attack aircraft.
This aircraft then attracted the interest of a number of countries to participate in its acquisition, especially the need that was triggered by various conditions due to world political tensions, a KAI source.
It said the T-50 qualifies as a training jet in peacetime and as an attack fighter in times of crisis.
Seeing the great interest in this aircraft, last June KAI and Lockheed Martin signed a cooperation agreement to market the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer jet globally.
The agreement is set to enhance the existing strategic partnership between the two companies.
Korea itself in November 2021 has set a target of achieving 1,000 T-50 sold in the international market.
KAI confirmed that the T-50/FA-50 platform is optimized for training F-35 pilots.
The need for these aircraft will increase as countries are interested in acquiring Lockheed Martin's F-35s, KAI said.
Other Videos By Military Coverage
Other Statistics
Golden Eagle Statistics For Military Coverage
Currently, Military Coverage has 1,630 views for Golden Eagle across 1 video. His channel published less than an hour of Golden Eagle content, making up less than 0.12% of the total overall content on Military Coverage's YouTube channel.