Poland declares FA-50 light fighter to be combat ready

With its initial 12 FA-50GF light combat aircraft now received, the Polish Air Force has declared the type to now be combat ready. It is to receive 36 FA-50PL aircraft also. (MND/ Rafał Samluk)

Poland has declared the first of 48 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft to be combat ready.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the milestone on 2 October 2026, some 37 months after the first two jets were received into Polish Air Force (Inspektorat Sił Powietrznych: ISP) service in August 2023.

“Extremely important message! Light FA-50GF aircraft have just entered combat duty. This means another reinforcement of our eastern border. Even though the aircraft were purchased without armament, it was possible to acquire them, thanks to which they can serve our defence. Thank you ISP for your effort. From today, our security has gained new defenders!” he said.

The initial 12 aircraft that were fast tracked by the ISP are designated FA-50GF (Gap Filler), with the remaining 36 aircraft being built specifically for Poland designated FA-50PL (Poland). It is unclear if the FA-50GF airframes will retain their ‘gap filler' designation once in service, or if they will revert to the FA-50PL national designation instead.

According to Janes All the World's Air Forces, the ISP has to date received all 12 of its FA-50GF aircraft, with deliveries of the FA-50PLs yet to commence.

The FA-50 is the operational version of the T-50 advanced jet trainer. Although billed as a ‘light' fighter, the FA-50 has a potent air-to-air and air-to-surface capability.

According to Janes All the World ' s Aircraft: In Service