Peru is advancing in talks with South Korea and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) to acquire approximately 20 to 24 KAI FA-50 light combat aircraft.
Sources from both Peru and South Korea indicated that a letter of intent is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, paving the way for a contract before year-end valued at nearly $780 million.
The planned purchase aims to replicate the success of the KT-1 trainer program, which involved the sale of 20 aircraft to the Peruvian Air Force (FAP), with 16 of them being assembled locally by SEMAN at Las Palmas Air Base.
Similarly, the majority of the FA-50s would be assembled in Peru, with local production of some components.
These aircraft are intended to replace the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, previously used by Air Group No. 7 in Piura, and the Aermacchi MB-339, operated by Squadron No. 513 of Air Group No. 51 in Pisco.
Peru's decision to opt for the FA-50 follows the rejection of Brazil's proposal to sell 24 Super Tucano aircraft for $480 million. Despite being nearly twice as costly, the FA-50 offers significantly enhanced capabilities. It outperformed competitors such as Italy's Leonardo M346 and Textron's Scorpion.
Furthermore, acquiring the FA-50 is viewed as a strategic move towards participating in South Korea's KF-21 fifth-generation fighter program.
South Korea has expressed interest in Peru joining the program, particularly given Indonesia's reduced involvement, which has affected its financial stability.
The KF-21 would eventually allow Peru to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29s, currently with only nine operational, and its French Mirage 2000s, which have been in service since the 1980s with up to 12 aircraft in use.
While the F-16 is also under consideration, with a requirement for 24 units, joining the KF-21 program would signify a substantial leap in technology and greatly enhance Peru's aerospace capabilities.
