Korean Aerospace Industries Advances FA-50 Export to Colombia with Sales Promotion Agreement

The Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 light attack aircraft has taken another step closer to being exported to Colombia. The export competitiveness has been strengthened by signing a sales promotion agreement with Colombia.

According to the industry, on the 19th, KAI is expected to win the contract for the Colombian Air Force’s project to replace old light attack aircraft, worth around $600 million.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) recently signed a written agreement for mutual recognition of military aircraft airworthiness certificates with the Colombian National Army Aviation (Aerospace Force), enhancing the possibility of winning the contract.

On the 14th, the DAPA signed a mutual recognition agreement for military aircraft airworthiness certification with the Colombian National Army Aviation (Aerospace Force) to facilitate the South American export of the FA-50. The deal was signed by Deputy Director Kang Hwan Seok of DAPA and General Luis Carlos Cordoba Avendaño of the Colombian Aerospace Force.

Airworthiness certification is an official government recognition that an aircraft is suitable for safe flight and can perform its functions. This means that the foreign country recognizes the flight safety of the domestic aircraft. This ensures export competitiveness as it can save time and cost required for militarization.

The Colombian Air Force is implementing a project to introduce next-generation advanced jet trainers to replace the A-37B trainers that have been operating for over 40 years. The project is worth a total of $600 million. They are considering KAI’s FA-50 and the M-346 from Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi.

If Colombia chooses KAI’s FA-50, it is expected to purchase 16 units within the project budget. The price of one FA-50 is known to be around $37.4 million.

The Colombian authorities have seriously considered KAI’s FA-50 a replacement for the A-37B trainer for two years. The introduction of the Korean-style fighter has been confirmed with the approval of the Colombian government’s comprehensive defense system.