South Korean Air Force T-50 Golden Eagle (with public relations paint job) (Photo courtesy Dmitriy Pichugin (Photos at airliners.net) via Flugzeug)
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One of two newly acquired FA-50PH fighter jets is given a water cannon salute while taxiing on the runway at Clark Air Base, Philippines, November 28, 2015 (Photo courtesy VOA News).
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A South Korean article [in Japanese] reports that Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), delivered the first two Korean-made light fighter-attack aircraft (FA-50PH) to the Philippines on November 27, 2015. The FA-50PH has been specially modified for the Philippine Air Force as a multirole fighter all-weather version of the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle.
Since the late 1990s South Korea has been developing the T-50 Golden Eagle with technical assistance from Lockheed Martin. The T-50 uses the high power GE F404 engine used in the F/A-18 to achieve supersonic flight. The engine is expensive and its re-export to the Philippines needed US approval.
In March 2014 South Korea agreed to sell 12 FA-50PHs to the Philippines for about US$420 million in total.
S's COMMENT
Since the late 1990s South Korea has been developing the T-50 Golden Eagle with technical assistance from Lockheed Martin. The T-50 uses the high power GE F404 engine used in the F/A-18 to achieve supersonic flight. The engine is expensive and its re-export to the Philippines needed US approval.
In March 2014 South Korea agreed to sell 12 FA-50PHs to the Philippines for about US$420 million in total.
S's COMMENT
As a weapons export it is a successful deal. But, as a country strategy, it is a risky deal. If the Philippine uses the FA-50PH against Chinese ships, South Korea may face fury of China.
The delivery of the first two FA-50s to the Philippines [notes 1 and 2 below], brings new tensions to the South China Sea situation [3].
An expert pointed out a possible eventual war in the South China Sea, [see note 4]: Deputy dean of global studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Professor Joseph Siracussa, previously told news.com.au China was “spoiling for a fight” and an eventual war in the region was inevitable. “Once you militarise a problem, you don’t get a diplomatic solution,” he said.”The trigger is there, it’s just waiting to happen. This will happen. This is about power. The South China Sea has become a flashpoint for war.”
An expert pointed out a possible eventual war in the South China Sea, [see note 4]: Deputy dean of global studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Professor Joseph Siracussa, previously told news.com.au China was “spoiling for a fight” and an eventual war in the region was inevitable. “Once you militarise a problem, you don’t get a diplomatic solution,” he said.”The trigger is there, it’s just waiting to happen. This will happen. This is about power. The South China Sea has become a flashpoint for war.”
[1] http://www.voanews.com/content/philippines-new-jets-south-china-sea/3078530.html(Voice of America)“Philippines Gets 2 New Fighter Jets Amid S. China Sea Tensions”
[2] http://slide.mil.news.sina.com.cn/k/slide_8_27471_39274.html#p=1(Chinese, 新浪网)” South Korea began deliveries to the Philippines two FA-50 fighter”
(Chinese环球网)”Philippine President agreed that "under the original capital" to buy weapons desire to strengthen the South China Sea military”
[4] http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/philippines-moves-fighter-jets-into-south-china-sea/news-story/3779f30046097537789df68bb0b1e33a “Philippines fighter jets to move into South China Sea”
Please connect with Submarine Matters within Philippines Naval Challenges – Submarines Less Useful of October 21, 2015.
S
(with some translation by Pete)