KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will receive its first two FA-50M light combat aircraft on Friday as part of efforts to strengthen its air combat capabilities.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the delivery would bolster the country's air defence.
"I am pleased to share that Malaysia will receive its first two FA-50M aircraft at the end of this month, on Oct 30," he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat.
In May 2023, the Defence Ministry and the South Korean aerospace company signed a contract worth nearly RM4 billion for 18 FA-50 Block 20 light combat aircraft, designated as the FA-50M (Malaysia).
Khaled said the aircraft would be stationed at Kuantan Air Base in Pahang, with some deployed to Labuan Air Base in Sabah.
The FA-50M aircraft are manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a South Korean aerospace company based in Sacheon. The aircraft are being built for the Royal Malaysian Air Force under a contract signed in May 2023.
Malaysia had identified three countries as potential alternative suppliers of a missile system to replace the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) deal cancelled by Norway, he said.
The countries were France, Italy and Turkiye.
"Next month, the ministry will submit its recommendation to the government on which system should be selected as a replacement. The supply process will take three to four years," he said.
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