South Korea through Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) plans to double production of the FA-50 Fighting Eagle Light Fighter Jet by building two additional production lines in 2024.
KAI's production facility is currently assembling the FA-50 for Poland and Thailand. In addition to the FA-50, KAI is also completing the sixth KF-21 Boramae prototype.
The company hopes to secure major contracts from the US Air Force (USAF) and US Navy for up to 500 FA-50s.
It said the USAF had selected the Boeing/Saab T-7A Red Hawk . However, KAI remains optimistic that it will secure the contract, as the T-7A project continues to experience delays and cost overruns.
The FA-50 has an inertial navigation system, onboard mission computer and Friend or Foe Identification (IFF) system and can be armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles and AGM-65 Maverick tactical air-to-ground missiles.
