March 4, 2025 – A Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jet with two pilots onboard went missing during a night combat mission in a southern province, officials confirmed on Tuesday. A large-scale search operation is underway to locate the aircraft and its crew.
The jet lost communication with other aircraft around midnight Monday while en route to its target area during an anti-insurgency operation. While its accompanying aircraft successfully returned to an air base in Cebu province, there have been no immediate updates on the missing jet, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) stated, citing security concerns.
The FA-50, a multi-role fighter jet developed by South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., was part of the Philippines’ military modernization program. The country acquired 12 of these jets starting in 2015 under an 18.9-billion-peso ($331 million) deal, marking the largest purchase under the program, which has faced repeated delays due to budget constraints.
Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo urged the public to pray for the pilots’ safe return and expressed hope for a successful search and rescue operation. “We are hopeful of locating them and the aircraft soon and ask you to join us in prayer during this critical time,” Castillo said.
A Philippine military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press, confirmed that the mission was targeting communist insurgents in the region. The circumstances leading to the jet’s disappearance remain unclear, and authorities have not yet determined if enemy fire or technical failure played a role in the incident.
The FA-50s have been used for a variety of purposes beyond anti-insurgency operations, including participation in national ceremonies and maritime patrols over the disputed South China Sea. The jets have become an integral part of the country’s defense strategy, providing both combat capability and deterrence against external threats.
It remains uncertain whether the PAF will ground the remaining FA-50 jets pending further investigation. Officials have yet to announce any immediate changes to air force operations.
The search and rescue effort is being conducted in coordination with ground forces and local authorities. The Philippine military has deployed additional assets to the area to assist in locating the missing aircraft and pilots, hoping to find evidence that could explain the disappearance.
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