Philippines and South Korea to sign P18.9-B jet deal this week

The Philippines and South Korea are expected to sign this week a multi-billion peso deal that would allow the military to acquire 12 lead-in fighter trainer jets.“Within next week, starting Monday, within that week, we will have a signing of contract for the FA-50 (jets) with the South Korean government,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters here.

He said a deal involving the purchase of eight combat utility helicopters from Canada may also be forged this week.Last month, the defense department and the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) completed the negotiations for the lead-in fighter trainer jets project which has an approved budget of P18.9 billion.

KAI will be supplying FA-50 jets, which are derived from the family of T-50 advanced jet trainer air assets. The jets will be used for territorial defense operations.The first batch of jets is expected to be delivered late next year. KAI is required to deliver at least two air assets within 18 months after the signing of the contract.