Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has been contracted to deliver 20 new-build TA-50 Block 2 lead-in fighter trainer/light attack aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF).
The contract – worth KR₩688bn (US$572.8m) – was awarded by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and announced by KAI on June 29. As part of the deal, the company will deliver the 20 aircraft and integrated logistics support system to the air arm by 2024.
![KAI TA-50 Golden Eagle [KAI]](/sites/keyaero/files/inline-images/KAI%20TA-50%20Golden%20Eagle%20%5BKAI%5D%20%231.jpg)
A variant of KAI’s T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer, the TA-50 offers a broader tactical training mission for RoKAF pilots. It is equipped with the Elta EL/M-2032 advanced multi-mode airborne fire control radar (FCR) and can employ air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
AirForces Intelligence data shows that, as of July 1, the RoKAF operates 22 TA-50 Golden Eagles. It entered service with the air arm in 2011. The in-service examples are Block 1-standard, with the newly ordered aircraft being the upgraded Block 2 version.
