By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Thursday announced that all its 11 FA-50PH fighter jets are now in “operational status” and “mission capable” following the lifting of the grounding order against the aircraft.
“The PAF’s FA-50 fleet has been placed on operational status effective 25 March 2025,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.
She also said these planes are now flying their assigned missions shortly after the lifting of the grounding order.
“The aircraft are now all airworthy and mission capable,” Castillo said.
The grounding order was lifted after inspection of all remaining aircraft found no technical problems with the FA-50PH fleet.
The 11 FA-50PHs were grounded after one with tail number 002 crashed in Bukidnon last month.
Castillo said the PAF is preparing the accident report for the ill-fated aircraft.
“The official report is for finalization,” she added.
The Philippines acquired 12 FA-50PH units from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries for PHP18.9 billion.
These were delivered from 2015 to 2017. The March accident was the first for the type since it was commissioned in PAF service. (PNA)
