Philippines to Equip FA-50 Fighters with AIM-9 Missiles for Air to Air Missions

The Philippines’ Department of National Defense has reported that it expects the delivery Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder short range air to air missiles from the United States within a year. These missiles are to be integrated onto the Air Force’s FA-50 fighter jets - a derivative of the T-50 trainer designed for combat missions. The T-50 is widely considered the most advanced trainer jet in the world - closely rivalled by the Chinese JL-10 and JL-9 - and the FA-50 is currently the most capable combat aircraft in the Philippines’ inventory. The fighters were developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and have been praised by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for their effective performance which he contrasted to the American F-16 Fighting Falcons he termed “utterly useless.” FA-50 jets flew multiple sorties against islamist militants in Marawi from May 2017, and on February 2019 a pair of them dropped eight 250 pound bombs on positions held by an Islamic State affiliate in the Barangay Walled City.

The FA-50 was designed to retain some air to air combat capabilities, and was initially intended to integrate the American AIM-120C air to air missile for long range air to air engagements. The AIM-9 is the oldest air to air missile to be put into service, and saw its first deployment over the Taiwan Strait in September 1958. The design has since been modernised considerably, and it is today considered the most capable Western air to air missile for short ranged air to air engagements. It is unclear what use the Philippines Air Force will have for FA-50 jets outfitted for air to air combat, but considering the growing use of drones by jihadist groups such as Islamic State they may well be used to neutralise enemy unmanned aircraft. The Philippines is reportedly considering acquisition of a further twelve FA-50 jets, although whether it will proceed with such a purchase remains uncertain. The FA-50 is currently also operated by Iraq and South Korea, while the T-50 trainer variant is also operated by Indonesia and Thailand. Korea Aerospace Industries is currently developing a fifth generation stealth fighter under the KF-X program, which is expected to be more cost effective than Western rivals such as the F-35. These fighters are expected to be marketed to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian clients.