The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) has announced plans of acquiring additional TA-50 trainer/light attack aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on 26 September. 

The number of platforms intended to be procured was not disclosed, however, the process is scheduled to start in 2019. The ministry's press release published stated that the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) trainer aircraft requirements were expected to increase significantly in the future due to the requirement to replace ageing Northrop F-5F trainers and the induction of frontline combat platforms including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft and the proposed Korean Fighter Experimental (KFX) aircraft.

RoKAF is scheduled to take delivery of the first of 40 on-order F-35 fighters from 2018.