IN PHOTOS: Philippines's first FA-50 fighters now airborne

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force's first two units of the FA-50PH fighter jets took off from Sacheon, Korea to Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Friday morning.

Manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which bagged an PP18.9-billion deal with the Department of National Defense last year, announced that the first two of the 12 ordered units of the supersonic trainers are now airborne.

"You'll get the first two units of FA-50PH fighter jets very soon. They took off from Sacheon in Korea in the morning today. Very happy for you," the company said, addressing Filipinos.

Sacheon is 1,438 miles from the Clark Air Base in Angeles City.

The Air Force earlier said the two jets will be making a refueling stop at an undisclosed location before making the final run to their destination.

They are expected to land at the air base around 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Inclement weather earlier delayed the arrival of the jets from Friday to Saturday.

KAI earlier described the FA-50 as a "powerful multi-purpose combat aircraft" modeled after the tactic ability of the TA-50 advanced trainers and multi-role light fighters. — with a report from PNA