FA-50 light attackers / Korea Times file

By Kang Seung-woo

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Poland have signed a contract worth an estimated $3 billion (4.1 trillion won) to follow July's deal to export 48 FA-50 light attackers, according to the state-run arms procurement agency, Friday.

The signing ceremony took place in Minsk Mazowiecki, Friday (local time), where the aircraft will be stationed, with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak in attendance as well as Eom Dong-hwan, the minister of Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and KAI CEO Kang Goo-young.

The FA-50 is a variant of KAI's T-50 supersonic trainer jet, co-developed with Lockheed Martin using some of the U.S. firm's technologies, including the avionics system and engine. It has been exported to Iraq, the Philippines and Thailand. The Republic of Korea Air Force has been operating 60 FA-50s since 2014.

The signing was a follow-up arrangement to Poland's "framework" contract, under which the Central European country will procure 980 K2 tanks from Hyundai Rotem and 648 K9 howitzers from Hanwha Defense as well as 48 FA-50 fighter jets ― one of the country's most important and largest defense orders in recent years.

Hyundai and Hanwha inked the executive contracts last month with Warsaw's Armament Agency.

According to DAPA, 12 planes will be delivered by the end of next year, while the remaining aircraft will be shipped from 2025.

After the FA-50 export, the Korean government and KAI plan to ensure a high level of cooperation between the two countries on the operation and maintenance of the weapon system.

"The Air Force will strengthen cooperation with the Polish Air Force by transferring the FA-50 operational know-how to the Polish Air Force and providing education and training programs," DAPA said in a press statement.

"KAI plans to build a maintenance, repair and overhaul center and an international flight training school capable of comprehensive maintenance of FA-50s after consultation with the Polish side."

According to KAI, the ripple effect on the industry via the export deal will reach some 10 trillion won, along with the creation of relevant employment.