The FA-50 is an important combat force of the Philippine Air Force.

(AFP)

[Instant News/Comprehensive Report] The Philippine Congress held a budget hearing on Thursday. Senior military officials who attended pointed out that as many as 7 of the 12 light fighter jets currently owned by the Air Force are in an inoperable state, and the operational readiness rate is only about 40%. .

"INQUIRER.net" reported that Philippine Air Force (PAF) Deputy Commander Arthur Cordura explained at the hearing that only five of the 12 light fighter "FA-50" were on standby.

Of the 7 aircraft that were unable to perform their tasks, 2 are being repaired and maintained according to the schedule and are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter. The rack can resume operation.

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Cordula noted that the FA-50's operational readiness rate was also affected by the acquisition process, as well as unplanned operations such as Operation Marawi.

Operation Marawi was a five-month battle between the Philippine government forces and Islamic State militants in 2017. The FA-50 played an important role in the process and was seen as one of the keys to changing the situation.

Senior national security officials have said the fighting would have dragged on longer without the FA-50s to provide ground troops.

The FA-50 is a light fighter developed by the South Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI).

The Philippines purchased 12 in 2014 to strengthen the country's territorial defense capabilities in response to rising Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.