The Ministry of National Defense of Poland met with the U.S. defense contractor RTX (formerly Raytheon) to discuss the supersonic light combat aircraft FA-50 produced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on the 20th. KAI is supposed to deliver a total of 48 aircraft, including 12 FA-50GF and 36 FA-50PL, to Poland, but has not manufactured a single FA-50PL. The FA-50PL requires parts from RTX, which Poland needs to receive and pass on to KAI. With negotiations between Poland and RTX underway, the production of KAI's fighter jets is expected to accelerate.

According to Polish military media Defense24, Paweł Bejda, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense, conducted talks with the CEO of RTX in Poland on the 18th (local time). The main agenda of this meeting was reported to be accelerating the delivery of missiles for the FA-50 operated by the Polish Air Force and securing a production base in Poland. Integration of U.S. armaments, including missiles to be mounted on the FA-50, was also mentioned, according to Polish media.

FA-50. /Courtesy of KAI

Discussions between the Polish government and RTX regarding the FA-50PL were held in the process of discussing defense industry cooperation, including the production of Patriot missiles. Poland decided to introduce 48 FA-50s in 2022 and wanted to equip them with U.S.-made weapons. The 12 FA-50GF delivered in December last year were equipped with T-50-based armaments, but the FA-50PL required U.S. missiles, namely the AIM-9X (Sidewinder; short-range air-to-air missile) and AIM-120 (AMRAAM; active radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missile). This is to enhance the combat capabilities of the FA-50, which is a light combat aircraft.

RTX needs U.S. government approval to export missiles. For U.S. government approval, the Polish government must apply, and RTX must provide documentation. These companies and KAI are continuously conducting preparatory work for the integration of missiles and the airframe.

Another issue is the GPS navigation system requested by Poland. This device includes a next-generation military signal (M-code) developed to address vulnerabilities in existing GPS signals, which is still under development in the U.S. as well. This equipment also needs to be passed on to KAI after the Polish government receives approval from the U.S. government.

Even if the parts are received, a system integration process to link the airframe and the parts must be completed. Only after passing performance validation procedures can they be delivered. KAI is negotiating with the Polish government to postpone the delivery.

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