FA-50 Triumphs In Malaysia’s Light Combat Aircraft Program
Korea Aerospace Industries announced on 24 February that it had officially signed a letter of agreement with the Malaysian government for the sale of 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft.
The letter of agreement was signed at the Malaysian defense ministry building in Kuala Lumpur by KAI president and CEO Kang Gu-young, and the Malaysian defense ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz. Other dignitaries and officials present at the signing included the South Korean ambassador to Malaysia, Yeo Seung-bae.
The $920 million deal calls for deliveries to begin in 2026. The 18 aircraft order is the first stage of the Malaysian Light Combat Aircraft program, with KAI expecting to win a follow-on order of an additional 18 aircraft for the program’s second stage. The Light Combat Aircraft program aims to replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s advanced trainer jets and light combat aircraft with a single type. Currently, the RMAF operates the Leonardo MB-339CM as its fighter lead-in trainer, with the BAE Hawk 108 and 208 serving the light combat aircraft role.
It is understood that the Royal Malaysian Air Force will be procuring a development of the “Block 20” variant of the FA-50, which will be equipped with Raytheon’s PhantomStrike active electronically scanned radar and the ability to use beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Additionally, the Malaysian FA-50s will be equipped with refueling probes for in-flight refueling.
The announcement follows the February 23 arrival of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Chief of Staff, General Jung Sang-hwa, for a three day working visit. On his first day in Malaysia, he met with Royal Malaysian Air Force head General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan and other senior RMAF leaders, as well as with Malaysian deputy defense minister Adly Zahari. Both meetings featured discussions on Malaysian defense cooperation with South Korea, in particular between the RMAF and ROKAF.