Poland will begin deploying the FA-50 light attack aircraft from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation’s leading aerospace and defense company, next year, marking a rapid transition from contract signing to combat readiness in just four years.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said during a visit to the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Mi큡sk Mazowiecki on August 20 that “next year will be a breakthrough, when the FA-50 enters operational service.” He toured the FA-50 simulator training center and met pilots currently undergoing instruction.
The minister noted that certified instructors are already prepared to train new Polish pilots and that the aircraft has earned positive reviews from aviators, ground crews, and technicians. He added that the FA-50’s operational similarity to the F-16 makes retraining straightforward, particularly for pilots with F-16 experience. Poland’s air bases are also being upgraded with new hangars and training facilities to accommodate the aircraft.
Poland signed a $2.86 billion contract with KAI in September 2022 for 48 FA-50s, receiving an initial batch of 12 just over a year later. Deliveries will continue through 2028. Earlier this year, KAI supplied three simulators—two installed at the 23rd Tactical Air Base and one at the 21st Tactical Air Base—allowing Poland to expand pilot training without relying on Korean instructors.
“Thanks to the simulators, we can now conduct training entirely on our own,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “A significant portion of the training is already taking place in Poland, and by next year, nearly all of it will be conducted here in Mi큡sk Mazowiecki.”
