The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has lost contact with a South Korean KAI-manufactured FA-50 fighter jet during a Tactical Night Operation Mission. The incident occurred on March 4, 2025, and search and rescue efforts have been ongoing since then.
The FA-50 aircraft, which was part of a tactical night operation, lost communication with its fellow aircraft minutes before reaching its target area near Cebu. The jet was carrying two pilots at the time of the incident. Despite repeated attempts to re-establish contact, the aircraft remains unaccounted for.
PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo confirmed the loss of contact and emphasized that all available resources are being utilized in the search and rescue mission. "Our primary concern right now is the safe return of our aircrew," she stated.
The FA-50 fighter jet is a light combat aircraft capable of flying at a maximum speed of Mach 1.5. It has a range of 1,850 kilometers and a combat radius of 1,300 kilometers. The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics and weaponry, making it a crucial asset for the PAF.
The FA-50 was developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and is based on the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer platform. The Philippine Air Force acquired 12 FA-50s from KAI in 2014, and the aircraft have been in service since then. This incident marks the first major mishap involving the FA-50 in the Philippines..