A Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 fighter jet and its two pilots are missing following an overnight tactical operation, military officials in the country said Tuesday.
The jet—one of 12 operated by PAF—was participating in a night combat assault supporting ground troops battling New People’s Army communist insurgents, The Associated Press reported.
“The PAF is conducting extensive and thorough search operations, utilizing all available resources to locate the missing jet fighter aircraft,” PAF spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said Tuesday. “Our primary concern right now is the safe return of our aircrew.”
According to Castillo, the FA-50 lost communication with the rest of the flights involved in the mission minutes before reaching the target area.
The PAF has operated the FA-50 since 2015 for patrolling the disputed South China Sea amid the escalation of territorial tensions with China. Last July, the country announced plans to purchase another 12 fighter jets from South Korea, the AP said.
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