Poland’s FA-50 Acquisition in Question After Devastating Crash That Claimed the Lives of Two Philippine Air Force Pilots

Poland’s decision to acquire FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea was seen as a move to modernise its air force and enhance regional security. However, the recent crash of a Philippine Air Force FA-50 has raised new concerns about the aircraft’s safety, performance, and overall suitability for a potential conflict against a near-peer adversary like Russia. Given the evolving security landscape in Eastern Europe, Poland must reassess whether the FA-50 is truly capable of meeting its defence needs.

The FA-50, marketed as a light combat aircraft capable of air-to-ground missions, has repeatedly demonstrated shortcomings in performing even basic ground attack roles. While designed as an advanced trainer with limited combat capabilities, its actual performance in real combat scenarios has exposed serious flaws, raising concerns about its effectiveness in modern warfare.

2017 Battle of Marawi: FA-50’s Friendly Fire Incident

During the five-month-long battle against ISIS-affiliated militants in Marawi, the Philippine Air Force deployed FA-50s to conduct airstrikes. However, in a tragic incident on July 12, 2017, an FA-50 accidentally bombed a military position, killing at least two Filipino soldiers and wounding 11 others. This friendly fire incident raised serious concerns about the aircraft’s targeting accuracy and its suitability for close air support missions.

The miscalculated strike was attributed to errors in coordination and the FA-50’s lack of an advanced targeting pod, which is crucial for precision-guided attacks. This incident highlighted the aircraft’s limitations in urban warfare, where accurate strikes are essential to avoid collateral damage.

The FA-50, a variant of the South Korean T-50 trainer, is designed as a lightweight combat aircraft rather than a full-fledged multirole fighter. While it offers cost-effective operations and ease of maintenance, its limitations become apparent when considering high-intensity combat scenarios.

1. Lack of AESA Radar
   The FA-50 faces a significant limitation in its inability to integrate an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar due to power and cooling constraints. Unlike larger multirole fighters, which have more robust electrical and cooling systems to support advanced avionics, the FA-50's compact airframe and lower power output make it difficult to accommodate high-performance AESA radars. AESA radars provide superior target detection, tracking, and electronic warfare resistance, making them essential for modern air combat. Without this capability, the FA-50 is at a disadvantage against adversaries equipped with more advanced radar systems, limiting its effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. This shortcoming further reinforces the aircraft’s role as a light fighter with restricted combat capabilities rather than a true frontline multirole aircraft.

2. Limited Combat Range and Payload
   With a combat radius of approximately 200 km in full payload, the FA-50’s operational reach is restricted compared to dedicated multirole fighters. Its payload capacity is also limited, reducing its effectiveness in extended air campaigns or deep-strike missions.

3. Inferiority Against Russian Fighter Jets
   If Poland were to face an aerial engagement against Russian aircraft such as the Su-35 or Su-57, the FA-50 would be at a clear disadvantage. It lacks the thrust-vectoring capabilities, advanced radar systems, and long-range missile capabilities that define modern air superiority fighters.

4. Lack of BVR capability
   The FA-50 is not currently integrated with advanced BVR air-to-air missiles (AAMs) like the AIM-120 AMRAAM or MBDA Meteor while its potential rival Tejas possess most of the above mentioned capability.

Tejas vs. FA-50: How Tejas Holds a Clear Advantage in Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) Combat

HAL Tejas

In modern aerial warfare, Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) capability is essential for fighter jets to engage enemy aircraft before being detected or targeted themselves. When comparing the HAL Tejas and the KAI FA-50, it is evident that Tejas has a significant edge over the FA-50 in BVR combat due to its superior radar, missile integration, and electronic warfare systems.

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1. AESA Radar Advantage: Tejas is Future-Proof

• The Tejas Mk1A is equipped with the Uttam AESA radar, developed by India’s DRDO, while earlier variants used the EL/M-2052 AESA from Israel.
• In contrast, the FA-50 still relies on the outdated EL/M-2032 mechanically scanned radar (MSA), which is inferior in target detection, tracking, and electronic warfare resistance.
• AESA radars provide longer detection ranges, better multi-target tracking, and superior resistance to jamming, making Tejas far more effective in modern combat.

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2. Full BVR Missile Capability: Tejas Can Strike First

• Tejas is fully integrated with BVR missiles like:
  • Astra Mk1 – India’s indigenous long-range air-to-air missile.
  • R-77 – Russian-made BVR missile with good range and tracking capability.
  • Derby – Israeli missile used in early Tejas variants.
• The FA-50, on the other hand, lacks BVR missile integration. While there have been discussions about adding AIM-120 AMRAAM or Derby missiles, no operational FA-50 variant currently supports them.
• This means Tejas pilots can engage enemy aircraft at long distances, while FA-50 pilots would be forced into risky close-range dogfights.

FA 50

The FA-50 is equipped with an advanced ejection seat designed to enhance pilot survivability in emergency situations. Despite this safety feature, the recent crash of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 resulted in the tragic loss of both pilots, raising concerns about the aircraft’s overall safety and reliability. The failure of the ejection system to save the crew has prompted further scrutiny, leading the PAF to ground its entire FA-50 fleet pending a thorough investigation. This incident underscores the need for rigorous safety evaluations and potential improvements in the aircraft’s emergency systems.