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The FA-50 has made history in Korean aviation by successfully completing its inaugural flight in European skies amid cheers from the Polish public.
Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) announced on Aug. 16 that two FA-50GF jets, the first and second units supplied to the Polish Air Force, successfully undertook their maiden flights on Aug. 15 in celebration of Polish Armed Forces Day.
Taking off from the Minsk airbase, the FA-50GF demonstrated its excellent performance by soaring over the skies of Warsaw, Poland’s capital. In a symbolic maneuver, the FA-50 appeared in formation with the Polish Air Force’s MiG-29. The MiG fighter later broke formation, emphasizing the replacement with the FA-50.
The debut flight of the FA-50 in Poland signals the entry of Korean aircraft into the European aviation market, which has historically been dominated by leading aerospace firms from countries like the U.S., France, and Italy. KAI plans to use Poland as a marketing hub, focusing on expanding the FA-50’s presence in the European market.
The FA-50GF, after its successful maiden flight, will be showcased to the Polish public through a ground display and demonstration flight at the Radom Airshow from Aug. 26 to 27. Plans are also in place to deliver the third and fourth units of the FA-50GF in September, with a total of 12 units expected to be delivered by the end of this year.
Of the 48 aircraft ordered by Poland, 36 will be an enhanced version of the FA-50, known as the FA-50PL (Poland), reflecting the specific requirements of the Polish Air Force. These will be delivered sequentially from the second half of 2025 to 2028. Moving forward, the Polish Air Force plans to deploy the FA-50 for various operational tasks, including light attack, special tactics, and combat missions, as a core part of their aerial defense strategy.