Aquino inspects Korean aerospace facility, expects delivery of fighter jets next year

President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit Session 1 at the Convention Hall 205 of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) on Friday (December 12, 2014). The session agenda is to review of the ASEAN-ROK cooperation and its future direction. With Summit theme: “Building Trust, Bringing Happiness,” reflecting ROK’s commitment to strengthen its relationship with ASEAN through trust, which should result in happiness for the citizens of ASEAN and the ROK. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — President Aquino said he met top executives of the Korea Aerospace Industries, the manufacturer of FA-50 jets that the country ordered to modernize its Air Force.

The Philippines sealed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries for 12 FA-50 jets for the refleeting of the Philippine Air Force.

“Sa susunod na taon po, lalapag na sa ating bansa ang unang dalawang unit ng mga makabagong aircraft na ito para sa ating Sandatahang Lakas,” the President said in his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Friday.

“Sa harap nga po ng modernong mga pasilidad at kagamitan na ito ng ibang bansa, lalo pa tayong ginaganahang magpursige sa pagtupad ng ating hangarin: ang itaguyod ang maaasahang kasundaluhan, tungo sa mas epektibong serbisyo sa sambayanang Pilipino.”

In his every visit to other countries, other nations become more and more confident on the Philippines, according to the president.

Maintaining strong ties with other nations would mean better regional stability and development, he added.

“Patuloy lang nating palakasin ang ating pag-aambagan upang higit pang mapabuti ang estado ng bansa, at ng ating mamamayan,” he said.

The President inspected one of the fighter jets to be acquired by the Philippines from South Korea, before returning home on Friday.

He met with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) President and Chief Executive Officer Sung Yong-ha and several Korean Air Force officials at the Gimhae Airbase to check one of the 12 FA-50 fighter jets.

In his interview with the Philippine media delegation in Busan Friday, he said two of the fighter jets are scheduled to be delivered in December next year, and the rest will be completed by 2017.

President Aquino underscored the importance of acquiring new fighter jets, noting that the last time the country had acquired such aircraft was in 2005.

He said it would enhance the capability of Filipino pilots to fly such type of airplanes for military operations.

The President joined other leaders in the region for the 25th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (ASEAN-ROK) Commemorative Summit.