KOTA TINGGI: The Defence Ministry will receive another four FA-50M light combat aircraft next April, ahead of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2027.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the delivery would bring the number of FA-50M aircraft received by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to six.
The aircraft are developed by South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
He said the remaining 12 aircraft would be delivered in stages by March 2028, completing the delivery of all 18 aircraft procured by the government.
“We received two of the aircraft at the end of October. Before Lima, we will receive another four.
“After that, we will receive all 18 aircraft in stages by March 2028,” he told reporters after officiating the launch of the Malaysia Defence Intelligence Organisation’s (MDIO) Madani Adopted School programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Panchor here today.
Khaled said all 18 light combat aircraft would be based in Kuantan, Pahang.
He said the possibility of deploying the aircraft to other locations would be considered after the RMAF retired its Hawk aircraft from service.
On Oct 30, Khaled received the first two FA-50M aircraft acquired by the RMAF, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities.
The aircraft arrived at the RMAF Labuan Air Base after being flown from Sacheon, South Korea.
Malaysia signed a contract with KAI in 2023 to procure 18 FA-50M aircraft worth nearly RM4 billion under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
The aircraft were acquired under the Fighter Lead-In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA) programme to replace the RMAF’s ageing Hawk aircraft.
They will also serve as advanced training aircraft for fighter pilots and carry out light combat missions.