Cairo nears deal for Korean fighter jets competing with the American F-16.
Arab Sea Newspaper - News Updates
Negotiations between Egypt and South Korea regarding the FA-50 light combat aircraft are showing significant progress, with Korean and Egyptian sources confirming that Cairo has become one of the most prominent markets slated to acquire the latest version of the aircraft. This version includes extensive structural and electronic upgrades, including the production of a single-seat variant with a longer range and enhanced combat capabilities, along with plans to transfer part of the production lines to the aircraft factory in Helwan. According to official data issued by South Korea, KAI and the Ministry of Industry and Energy are working to manufacture the prototype of the single-seat version by 2026, followed by the first experimental flight in 2027, and final technical approval in 2028. This version is known within the Korean program as Block 30 or F-50, with the rear seat being replaced by an additional 300-gallon fuel tank, which increases the aircraft's range by 20 to 30% compared to the current version, to meet the needs of countries desiring light, multi-role aircraft with an extended range, according to "Al-Araby Al-Jadeed." Korean sources indicate that the new version retains about 80% of the capabilities of the American F-16 fighter, but it features lower operating and maintenance costs, making it an economically suitable option for modernizing the Egyptian air fleet without relying on expensive, heavy aircraft. The improvements include the integration of a modern AESA radar, an AGCAS system to avoid ground collision, and diverse armament packages including JDAM guided munitions and short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles. Last April, the Egyptian ambassador in Seoul confirmed that Egypt is in advanced negotiations to purchase 36 FA-50 aircraft manufactured entirely in South Korea, as part of a potential deal reaching 100 aircraft in stages, with the transfer of part of the assembly lines to Egypt in Helwan, within a broader local manufacturing program that began planning at EDEX 2023. Through this deal, Cairo seeks to modernize its light aircraft fleet, while providing an advanced platform for defensive, air, ground support, and advanced training missions. Local assembly also allows the ability to manage a large fleet, provide spare parts locally, and open up future possibilities for exporting aircraft to African and Arab markets. Specialized sources believe that the deal represents a strategic re-engineering of Egypt's military and industrial relations, as it strengthens South Korea's role as an important player in the Egyptian armament equation, opening the door to broader industrial partnerships including artificial intelligence, technological education, and the automotive, shipbuilding, and petrochemical industries. According to the sources, if the deal is officially announced, it will be one of the largest military aviation deals for Egypt in recent decades, and embodies Cairo's shift towards a long-term industrial-military alliance with South Korea, which enhances its operational capabilities, reduces pressure on first-line fighters, and keeps pace with regional changes in the Middle East.
