Malaysia ‘highly likely’ to order more FA-50M jets, says KAI official

In May last year, Malaysia and Korea Aerospace Industries signed a contract worth almost RM4 billion for 18 FA-50 Block 20 fighters, later designated FA-50M. (Wikipedia pic)

PETALING JAYA: Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is confident the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will acquire another batch of 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft, bringing the total order to 36 units.

KAI’s regional manager for Asia Park Shang-shin anticipated that negotiations for the second batch of aircraft would start in the second half of 2026 and be completed by early 2027, Bernama reported.

“It is very much likely, because we are on track for the first batch, and Malaysia is very satisfied with the implementation of the contract.

“If the RMAF wants the same platform as the first batch, then the second batch would just be a continuation,” Park said on the sidelines of the Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia 2024 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

In May last year, Malaysia and KAI signed a contract worth almost RM4 billion for 18 FA-50 Block 20 fighters, later designated FA-50M.

The RMAF, according to KAI’s senior officials, will be getting its hands on the most capable variant of the light combat aircraft.

The variant procured by Malaysia is more advanced and capable than the FA-50 operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force and other countries in the region, including Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, Park said.

Currently, he said, only the RMAF and Polish Air Force have opted for this variant which is equipped with a cutting-edge active electronically scanned array radar and advanced targeting pod.

Meanwhile, Park said the RMAF would receive its aircraft from October 2026, and that deliveries would continue until June 2027.