Poland is reportedly about to sign an order for 48 FA-50 Fighting Eagle light fighters, in a contract valued at €2.5 billion ($2.5 billion).
The upcoming order, reported by Defense News, is part of a series of contracts to be signed on July 27, 2022. It includes 180 K2 main battle tanks with options for 400 more and 670 K9 self-propelled howitzers. In total, the impressive volume of equipment is worth a total of €14.1 billion ($14.5 billion).
The FA-50 Fighting Eagle is a lightweight multi-role fighter jet developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, based on its T-50 Golden Eagle training jet. It is capable of supersonic speed at Mach 1.5. The FA-50 is equipped with a 20mm cannon and can transport an array of air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles, as well as rockets and guided bombs. It can also be employed for reconnaissance and electronic warfare.
The FA-50 light combat aircraft offers some commonality with the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter that the Polish Air Force also operates. For example, it can be equipped with the AN/APG-83 SABR active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system.
Separate from this reported order, the Polish Air Force is also expecting 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters ordered in September 2019.