Iraqi Air Force started flying its new KAI T-50 Golden Eagle trainer jet, after receiving the first batch of the aircraft in mid March.
Iraqi Air Force started flying its new KAI T-50 Golden Eagle trainer jet, after receiving the first batch of the aircraft in mid March.
The maiden flight was jointly carried out by a Iraqi Air Force pilot and a Korean pilot.
South Korean built jets were delivered in Semi-Knocked Down condition, and were later assembled by Korean engineers.
The T-50 can impart training to prepare pilots to fly high performance fighters like the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets operated by IQAF.
Iraqi Defense Ministry signed the deal to acquire 24 T-50IQ jets with Korean Aerospace Industries in 2013 December.
بحضور السيد قائد القوة الجوية العراقية الفريق الطيار الركن انور حمد امين قامت طائرة T50iq بأول طلعة تجريبية في سماء الوطن . pic.twitter.com/xMJMD1I2Ba— IRAQI AIR FORCE (@iqAirForce) April 5, 2017
The $ 1.1 billion worth deal also include training for Iraqi pilots and is estimated to cost more than $2 billion with follow-on support contracts.
Developed by KAI jointly with Lockheed Martin, the T-50 is a advanced supersonic trainer jet powered by a single GE F404 turbofan engine.
The aircraft can also be configured as a light attack aircraft, carrying a wide range of weapons on its wingtip and under wing weapon stations.
The T-50 will complement the current IQAF fleet of Czech built AeroVodochody L159 trainer/light attack aircraft.
