Korea Aerospace Industries awarded contract of 20 TA-50 Block 2 aircraft

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said it had awarded Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) a contract to build 20 TA-50 Block 2 aircraft.

South Korea's TA-50 Golden Eagle elephant walk (Source: Air Recognition)

The deal, concluded with Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, is worth around KRW688 billion ($573 million). The deal also covers support for the aircraft, which are to be delivered by 2024.

The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin. The TA-50 variant is a more heavily armed version of the T-50 trainer, intended for lead-in fighter training and light attack roles.

In 2011, the first squadron with the TA-50, become operational with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The new planes will replace KF-16 fighters, according to DAPA officials.

The Block 2 is an upgraded variant of the TA-50 Block 1, 22 units of which are currently in ROKAF service. The TA-50 light attack variant and more heavily armed version of the T-50 trainer.

KAI T-50 Golden Eagle (Source: Ryabtsev)

It has a three-barrel cannon version of the M61 Vulcan mounted internally behind the cockpit, which fires link-less 20 mm ammunition. Wingtip rails can accommodate the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. Compatible air-to-surface weapons include the AGM-65 Maverick missile, Hydra 70 and LOGIR rocket launchers, CBU-58 and Mk-20 cluster bombs, Mk-82, Mk-83, and Mk-84 general-purpose bombs.