COVID-19 halts planned FA-50 exports to Argentina

Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI’s) plan to export light fighters to Argentina has been put on hold indefinitely due to the outbreak of COVID-19, according to local media sources.

The company – which is South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer – told local media on April 6 that its planned FA-50 Fighting Eagle sale to Argentina had been delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

FA-50 [ROKAF] #1
Republic of Korea Air Force

As published by the Korea Herald, a KAI official said: “It must have been difficult for Argentine to spend its [defence] budget [on] fighter jets when it is experiencing difficulties due to the virus spread.”

The FA-50 is the light fighter version of KAI’s T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer. As of April, a total of 57 FA-50s were in operational service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and 12 FA-50PHs were employed by the Philippine Air Force.