MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force’s first two units of the FA-50PH fighters jets arrived in the Philippines Saturday morning.

The arrival of the fighter jets marks the symbolic return of the Philippine Air Force to its supersonic age.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, senior military officials and Korean Aerospace Inc. (KAI) officials were present at the welcome ceremony held at Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Pampanga.

"We’re glad we’re finally back to supersonic age," Gazmin said.

Supersonic refers to aircraft capability of flying faster than sound or 750 miles per hour.

The Philippine Air Force’s supersonic capability was eliminated in 2005 when it was forced to retire its Northrop F-5s.

The Philippines has ordered 12 supersonic trainers from KAI, which bagged an P18.9-deal with the Department of National Defense last year under the military’s modernization program.

The fighter jets, which are now airborne, will still undergo a series of acceptance flights before being turned over to the Philippine Air Force in another ceremony.

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

Inclement weather in South Korea delayed the arrival of the jets from Friday to Saturday.

The rest of the jets are scheduled to be delivered between 2016 and 2017. - with a report from PNA