Egypt is nearing the completion of a landmark defense agreement with South Korea to acquire up to 100 FA-50 light combat aircraft, a move that signals a significant enhancement of Cairo’s military capabilities and a deepening of ties with Seoul.
According to Egyptian Ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdelrahman, this deal is close to being finalized and includes a technology transfer component, which an official from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the aircraft’s manufacturer, described as a step to “advance the Egyptian aviation industry and strengthen strategic partnerships across Africa and the Middle East.”
Egyptian Ambassador to Seoul, Khaled Abdelrahman, stated that discussions between the two countries are progressing positively after months of negotiations for an initial order of 36 aircraft.
“We hope the technical and detailed discussions between our institutions and Korean firms will lead to a successful outcome,” Abdelrahman said.
The FA-50, sharing 70% commonality with the Lockheed Martin F-16, is poised to replace Egypt’s aging fleet of Alpha Jets and K-8E trainers. Industry analysts estimate that Egypt may initially procure 36 aircraft in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion, with the potential to expand to the full 100 units.
Should the larger order proceed, around 70 of these aircraft would be assembled locally at the Helwan Aircraft Factory in Egypt, following a 2023 agreement between KAI and the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), an Egyptian state-owned entity.
This acquisition is part of a broader strengthening of military and economic relations between Egypt and South Korea, which took a significant step forward in 2016 when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement.
That pact has already yielded tangible results, including South Korea’s donation of a second-hand Pohang-class corvette to the Egyptian Navy in 2017 and a $1.66 billion contract in 2023 for 216 Hanwha K9 self-propelled howitzers, along with K10 ammunition resupply vehicles and K11 fire direction control vehicles. As the two nations approach the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025, their partnership has grown markedly.
Egyptian leaders view South Korea’s rapid development after the Korean War as a model for their own nation’s progress, while Seoul sees Egypt as a critical entry point to markets in the Middle East and North Africa. This mutual interest is evident in recent economic ventures, such as the $2.25 billion contract awarded in 2022 to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company to co-build Egypt’s first nuclear power plant in El Dabaa, and Samsung’s 2023 “golden licence” to establish a factory in Beni Suef.
Egypt’s push to modernize its air force has been a driving force behind this deal. In December 2024, the AOI announced plans to establish a domestic production line for modern light combat and trainer aircraft, an ambition underscored by Major General Mukhtar Abdel Latif, Chairman of AOI’s Board of Directors, in press statements.
Earlier, in December 2022, AOI entered a cooperation agreement with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) to localize the manufacturing technology of the T-50/FA-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer jet and light combat aircraft.
The Helwan Aircraft Factory, which previously produced 120 K-8E trainers for the Egyptian Armed Forces, is central to this effort. These K-8E aircraft, based at El Minya air base, support the 201 Training Wing’s 28sq and 29sq fast jet training squadrons, as well as the Silver Stars display team.
The need for new aircraft became clear in 2021 when the Egyptian Ministry of Defense issued an international tender for 36 advanced trainers to replace its aging Alpha Jets, drawing bids from global players like KAI with its FA-50/T-50 Golden Eagle, Italy’s Leonardo with the M-345 and M-346, China’s CATIC with the L-15, Turkey’s TAI, and the Czech company Aero.
The FA-50 itself is a versatile platform, developed by KAI in collaboration with Lockheed Martin in the late 1990s and introduced in 2005. Powered by a General Electric F404 turbofan, it boasts a top speed of Mach 1.5 and a range of 1,850 kilometers (1,150 miles). Equipped with seven hardpoints, it can carry an array of munitions, including JDAM, AGM-65, and AIM-9 missiles, as well as targeting pods and self-protection subsystems.
Its multi-mode radar enhances its combat capabilities, and KAI has plans to integrate beyond-visual-range missiles like the AIM-120 and Derby, along with light AESA radar technology. Future upgrades include a conformal 300-gallon fuel tank for extended range, compatibility with advanced targeting pods, and mid-range air-to-surface precision munitions, making it a formidable asset for Egypt’s defense needs.
Strategically, this deal aligns with Egypt’s goals of modernizing its military and reducing dependence on outdated platforms, while reinforcing its role as a key player in Middle Eastern and North African security. For South Korea, the partnership offers economic benefits and a stronger foothold in a geopolitically vital region, enhancing its status as a global defense exporter.
As Cairo and Seoul continue to build on their decades-long relationship, the FA-50 acquisition stands as a testament to their shared ambitions and growing collaboration.
