PAF eyeing to lift grounding of FA-50 fleet within the week
File phot of Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 fighter jets (PAF FACEBOOK)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is eyeing to lift the grounding of the FA-50 fleet, which was grounded after one of its jets crashed in the Kalatungan mountain range in Bukidnon earlier this month.
PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo made the announcement in a press briefing on Tuesday, adding that their “comprehensive inspection” of the FA-50 fleet is nearing completion.
READ: PAF’s FA-50 fighter jets grounded following Bukidnon crash
“And then as for the lifting of the administrative grounding of our aircraft, currently we are almost complete with our comprehensive inspection of our F-A-50 fleet,” Castillo said.
“We are committed to bringing this fleet back to full operational status very soon, hopefully within this week, so that they can get back to their essential missions of maritime patrol, airspace security, and support to ongoing focused military operations,” she added.
On March 4, Castillo reported that an FA-50 fighter jet went missing shortly after midnight while en route to Mactan Airbase in Cebu.
The jet was found by ground troops in the vicinity of the Mt. Kalatungan Complex, Bukidnon, on the following day, along with the remains of the two pilots.
The FA-50s were acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries for P18.9 billion during the administration of then-President Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino Jr.
