KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 – The progress level of the assembly of 18 units of FA-50M light fighter aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has now reached 26.7 per cent, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said according to the acquisition schedule, two of the aircraft are expected to be received in the third quarter of 2026 and the rest will be received in stages until the end of 2027.
“The acquisition value (of these aircraft) is RM3.8 billion. The acquisition of these aircraft is based on the RMAF’s plan, namely the RMAF Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55), which targets the acquisition of a single-platform aircraft with two seats capable of performing dual-function tasks as an advanced training aircraft for prospective fighter pilots and also as light combat aircraft (LCA) for operational needs.
“According to the plan, the aircraft will also undergo a mid-life upgrade programme to ensure its operational capability until 2055,” he said in reply to Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) who wanted to know the current status of the acquisition of 18 units of FA-50M aircraft for RMAF.
At the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) last May, the Ministry of Defence and South Korea’s leading aerospace company, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), signed a contract for the acquisition of 18 units of the FA-50M aircraft.
The FA-50M aircraft to be acquired by the RMAF is the most modern and capable variant, the FA-50 Block 20, compared to other variants acquired by other countries including South Korea and several countries in Southeast Asia.
