Aircraft & UAVs

FA-50PH

The FA-50PH is the Philippine Air Force variant of KAI's FA-50 light combat aircraft, a South Korean supersonic jet derived from the T-50 trainer. During the Battle of Marawi, Philippine government forces used FA-50 jets for urban airstrikes and close air support against IS-aligned militants, including missions later scrutinized after a July 2017 friendly-fire incident.

Battle of MarawiPhilippine government forces

Conflict side: Philippine government forces
Built by: Korea Aerospace Industries
Built in: South Korea

FA-50PH, Supersonic light combat aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Philippine Air Force FA-50PH.jpg

Profile

Type: Supersonic light combat aircraft
Conflict side: Philippine government forces
Origin: South Korea
Service note: 2010s-present Philippine Air Force service

strike close air support aircraft

Service History

In service: Philippine Air Force service by the 2017 Battle of Marawi
Used by: Philippine Air Force
Wars: Battle of Marawi

Production History

Designer: Korea Aerospace Industries with Lockheed Martin support
Designed: Developed from the T-50 family
Built by: Korea Aerospace Industries
Built in: South Korea
Unit cost: P18.9 billion Philippine contract for 12 aircraft
Produced: FA-50 family in service from the 2010s
Number built: 12 FA-50PH aircraft acquired by the Philippine military
Variants: FA-50PH
Developed from: KAI T-50 Golden Eagle

Specifications

Crew: 2
Maximum speed: Mach 1.5
Maximum takeoff weight: 26,929 lb
Powerplant: 17,700 lb-thrust class engine
Armament: 20 mm three-barrel gun; AIM-9 and JDAM compatibility listed by KAI
Role equipment: Tactical data link, precision guided munitions capability, and self-protection subsystem

Conflict Usage

Battle of Marawi: Side: Philippine government forcesRole: Urban airstrikes and close air supportstrike close air support
Philippine government forces used FA-50PH jets for airstrikes against IS-aligned militant positions in Marawi; reporting after a July 2017 friendly-fire incident says FA-50s were temporarily pulled from airstrike employment while other air assets continued.

FA-50PH Images

FA-50PH, Supersonic light combat aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: Philippine Air Force FA-50PH.jpg

FA-50PH, Supersonic light combat aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: 2023-05-04 FA-50PH at Clark.jpg

FA-50PH, Supersonic light combat aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: 2 Philippine Air Force FA-50 Fighting Eagles fly alongside 2 U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles over the South China Sea.jpg

FA-50PH, Supersonic light combat aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 4 — Source: Two PAF's FA-50PH fighter jets.jpg

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Sources

FA-50Publisher: Korea Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports manufacturer background, FA-50 role equipment, armament, crew, speed, takeoff weight, and powerplant specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 FA-50 jets pulled out of combat in MarawiPublisher: Philippine Daily Inquirer | Note: Supports Battle of Marawi direct use: FA-50 jets used by Philippine government forces for airstrikes in Marawi, with one FA-50 bomb falling short during a July 2017 strike and the type temporarily pulled from airstrike employment. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 FA-50 fighter jets grounded after friendly fire in MarawiPublisher: INQUIRER.net | Note: Supports Battle of Marawi direct use: FA-50 fighter jets used by Philippine government forces for airstrikes against militants in concrete structures in Marawi, and records the fleet size and P18.9 billion acquisition context. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Urban Counter-Insurgency Airstrikes On ISIS Targets In The PhilippinesPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports Battle of Marawi direct use: FA-50PH light jet aircraft used by Philippine government forces for strikes in Marawi alongside other Philippine Air Force assets. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 The OV-10 Bronco Is Wailing On ISIS Yet Again, This Time In The PhilippinesPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports Battle of Marawi direct use: FA-50PH light fighters used by Philippine government forces for attack missions against Islamic State positions in Marawi. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Philippine Air Force FA-50PH.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for the primary FA-50PH image; the file identifies a U.S. Air Force source and public-domain status. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 2023-05-04 FA-50PH at Clark.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a Philippine Air Force FA-50PH at Clark; the file identifies 5th Fighter Wing, Philippine Air Force authorship and public-domain Philippine government-work status. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 2 Philippine Air Force FA-50 Fighting Eagles fly alongside 2 U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles over the South China Sea.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for two Philippine Air Force FA-50s in flight; the file identifies U.S. Air Force authorship and public-domain status. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Two PAF's FA-50PH fighter jets.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance page for a pair of Philippine Air Force FA-50PH jets; the file identifies Philippine Air Force authorship and public-domain Philippine government-work status. | Accessed: 2026-06-21