Reports suggest that the Peruvian government is planning to purchase between 20 and 24 KAI FA-50 light combat aircraft, as well as a potential order of KF-21 Boromae fighter jets from South Korea.
According to defense media outlet Pucara, Peru is moving forward in negotiations with South Korea and South Korean aerospace and defense company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the purchase.
A letter of intent might be signed in the coming weeks, and the contract, valued at $780 million, could well be made before the end of 2024, the report said.
On top of this investment, Peru is also considering whether to join the KF-21 fifth-generation fighter program, which could further modernize its air force and expand its aerospace capabilities.
Developed by KAI, the FA-50 has been in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) since 2013. It is a light combat aircraft derived from the T-50 Golden Eagle light jet trainer, developed by KAI alongside Lockheed Martin.
The aircraft is designed for multi-roles including light air-to-air, air-to-ground, and tactical reconnaissance missions. It is powered by a General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine with 17,700 lbs of thrust.
According to several defense media outlets, the majority of the FA-50s would be assembled in Peru, with some components produced locally.
The FA-50s are intended to replace the Peruvian government’s Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, which was used until 2023 by Air Group No. 7 in Piura, and the Aermacchi MB-339, operated by Air Squadron No. 513 of Air Group No. 51 in Pisco. Currently, Air Group No. 7 operates the KT-1.
The potential acquisition of the FA-50 is viewed by Peru as a strategic move towards participating in South Korea’s KF-21 fifth-generation fighter program. This may be to South Korea’s advantage, since Indonesia has reduced its financial involvement in the program.
The KAI KF-21 Boramae is a fighter aircraft development program with the goal of producing an advanced multirole fighter for the South Korean and Indonesian air forces.