18 FA-50 Block 20 Under US$830 Million Contract
Malaysia actually inked its deal for 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on 24 February but, loath to miss an opportunity for more publicity, the government held a contract ceremony at LIMA 2023 in Langkawi on 25 May.
In fact, this was the third signing ceremony for this contract worth MYR3.84 billion (US$830.3 million), which will see the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) receive FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer/light combat aircraft, likely be called the FA-50M.
Sangshin Park, KAI’s Regional Manager & Chief, International Business Development, Asia, told MON that Malaysia had ordered FA-50 Block 20 aircraft. This variant features an aerial refuelling probe, conformal fuel tank, medium-range missiles and radar. He revealed that Malaysia’s first aircraft is due for delivery 42 months after contract signature. This equates to October 2026, with the final aircraft due in August the following year. This is a phenomenal rate of delivery – 18 aircraft in a ten-month period – which Park said was possible due to a hot production line.
FA-50s of customers such as the Philippines and South Korea boast an Elta EL/M-2032 radar. Because of Malaysia’s fraught relations with Israel, this is not possible on RMAF aircraft; instead, they will have Raytheon’s PhantomStrike AESA radar fitted- the same radar, in fact, to be fitted to Poland’s 48 FA-50s that are on order. Park revealed that the first Polish aircraft will be handed over next month, with KAI able to rapidly fulfil the order since aircraft originally destined for the Republic of Korea Air Force are being transferred.
Park expects that Malaysia might require additional FA-50 aircraft – perhaps another 18 – in the future. He also highlighted the appropriateness of the KF-21 fighter for Malaysia. With commonality between FA-50 and KF-21 systems, it is relatively easy for pilots to transfer from one aircraft to the other. The RMAF has eight F/A-18D Hornet and 18 Su-30MKM fighters that will eventually need replacement.
Gordon Arthur reporting from Langkawi
