The Philippine Air Force yesterday said that the fourth batch of two FA-50PH training aircraft from South Korea will arrive at Clark Airbase, Pampanga on March 29.
Air Force spokesman Col. Antonio Francisco said two of the remaining six FA-PH Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighters Training Aircraft with tail numbers 007 and 008 from South Korea will arrive at the Haribon Hangar, Air Force City, Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
Francisco said the two FA-50PH aircraft will be welcomed by PAF chief Lieutenant General Edgar R. Fallorina who is also the guest of honor and speaker.
The fourth batch of the FA-50PH training aircraft will be brought into the country by pilots from the Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd.
The first batch of supersonic jets arrived in the country on November 28, 2015 while the remaining batch will be flown in by September 26, 2017.
“We expect the delivery of the jets to be completed within the year,” Francisco said in an interview.
“It will be delivered in batches, so this is the fourth batch of planes to arrive in the country,” he added.
Francisco said the arrival of the planes is expected to further strengthen or boost the PAF’s air capabilities, including the training of their personnel.
“The planes will also help boost the training capabilities of our pilots, it will also be used for training purposes so that our pilots will acquire more skills in flying fighter jets or supersonic jets,” he said.
(Francis T. Wakefield)