The FA-50PH is the Philippine Air Force export variant of Korea Aerospace Industries' T-50/FA-50 family, a South Korean supersonic light combat aircraft derived from the T-50 advanced trainer. Philippine service includes Marawi close-air-support sorties in 2017, a 2025 combat-support mission against suspected New People's Army guerrillas, and an upgrade program for the surviving first-batch aircraft.
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.
Within the catalog's broader Moro Conflict grouping, Philippine Air Force FA-50PH jets flew close-air-support missions during the 2017 Marawi campaign in Mindanao, the type's first combat use in the southern Philippines.
A Philippine Air Force FA-50 was deployed on a combat mission against suspected New People's Army guerrillas in Bukidnon in 2025.
FA-50PH is the Philippine Air Force designation within the T-50/FA-50 family; Philippine reporting distinguishes the original 2015-2017 batch from improved follow-on aircraft ordered in 2025.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Improved FA-50PH follow-on aircraft | 2025 follow-on order | A June 2025 contract covered 12 additional KAI FA-50 aircraft described in Philippine reporting as a more improved version of the FA-50PHs already in service, with deliveries expected from 2026 to 2030. Sources: PH, S. Korea manufacturer sign deal for 12 more FA-50 aircraft |
The FA-50PH is documented as carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles as its primary air-to-air armament.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | PNA reports that AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles are the primary armament of FA-50PH light jet fighters, documenting the missile as a carried weapon on the type. Sources: PAF technicians train on AIM-9 missile launcher maintenance |
The FA-50PH is documented as carrying AGM-65 Maverick missiles during live-fire exercises.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Air-to-surface guided missile | PNA reports FA-50PHs were armed with AGM-65 Maverick missiles during the 2023 Balikatan live-fire exercise, and one FA-50PH fired its missile at the target vessel. Sources: Live-fire exercise shows PAF aircraft interoperability, firepower |
KAI lists JDAM compatibility for the FA-50, and its FA-50 export brochure documents Mk 82-class bomb carriage.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 500-pound-class bomb body | KAI's FA-50 export brochure lists Mk 82 500-lb bomb carriage, making the cataloged Mk 82 a documented bomb-body relationship for the FA-50PH family context. Sources: FA-50 ENG Brochure |
Deliveries of the Philippine Air Force's 12-aircraft FA-50PH order began in November 2015 under the PHP18.9 billion KAI acquisition.
Sources: Air Force eyes buying more FA-50 aircraft
KAI completed delivery of the first Philippine FA-50PH batch in May 2017, shortly before the aircraft entered combat use during the Marawi campaign.
Sources: Air Force eyes buying more FA-50 aircraft, Air Force played key role in Marawi liberation: AFP chief
Philippine Air Force FA-50PHs were used in the Marawi campaign for close-air-support sorties and airstrikes against IS-aligned militants, marking the type's first combat use in the southern Philippines.
Sources: PAF new jet fighters lauded for role in Marawi victory
An FA-50 was deployed with other Philippine Air Force aircraft on a combat mission against suspected New People's Army guerrillas in Bukidnon, linking the type to the ongoing communist insurgency campaign.
Sources: Rescuers find Philippine fighter jet's wreckage and the bodies of 2 pilots deployed to fight rebels
Philippine and KAI officials signed a contract for 12 additional FA-50 aircraft, with Philippine reporting describing them as an improved version of the FA-50PHs already in service.
Sources: PH, S. Korea manufacturer sign deal for 12 more FA-50 aircraft
KAI announced a 93 billion-won program to upgrade 11 FA-50PH light attack aircraft through 2029, including precision-guided-munitions capability, range, endurance, and network interoperability improvements.
Sources: Korea Aerospace signs deal to upgrade PH FA-50PH fighter jets
