South Korea orders 20 TA-50 Block 2 lead-in fighter trainers

The KAI TA-50. Photo c/o Korea Aerospace Industries.

As the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) expects a growth in combat training requirements in the coming years, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has awarded a contract to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to supply TA-50 Bloack 2 lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT).

The contract, worth KRW688.3 billion (US$573 million), allows for the supply of 20 new TA-50 Block 2 LIFT which are expected to be completed by 2024.

The TA-50 Block 2 is an upgraded version of the TA-50 Block 1, 22 units of which are already in service with the ROKAF. Compared to the original T-50 LIFT aircraft, the TA-50 are capable of light attack missions, being equipped with an IAI Elta EL/M-2032 fire control radar, and capability to fire the AIM-9 Sidewinder ait-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile.

The ROKAF is expected to utilize the additional TA-50s to replace the Northrop F-5F Tiger II twin-seat light combat aircraft trainer which are utilized for training jet-bound pilots but are retiring soon as the service commissions new generation fighters like the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter.


[1] The Korea Herald
[2] Jane’s
[3] Air Recognition