Malaysia signed purchase contract for 18 Korean FA-50 light fighters

The final contract signing ceremony for the sale of 18 FA-50 advanced trainers/light fighters to Malaysia took place on the 23rd. The transaction has a total value of US$920 million.

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During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023) in Malaysia, the defense ministers of Malaysia, South Korea and the president of Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) conducted the signing of the contract for 18 FA-50 aircraft and support, worth USD 920 million.

In February this year, KAI signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) with the Malaysian Ministry of National Defense for the export of the FA-50 and was discussing details, such as aircraft delivery times and logistical follow-up support, for the past three months.

The Malaysian LCA / LIFT competition

In November 2022 Korea Aerospace Industries won the LCA / LIFT competition (which suffered a competitive challenge attempt) to supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF or TUDM) with 18 light combat and advanced trainer aircraft. Eight of these aircraft are to be configured primarily as Lead Advanced Trainer (LIFT), while the remaining ten would be Light Fighter Aircraft (LCA) combat aircraft.

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The planes configured as LIFT trainers are intended to replace the fleet of seven Aermacchi MB-339CMs, which are currently grounded out of service. While the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) are to replace the 18 BAE Systems Hawk Mk 108 two-seat (trainer and attack) and Mk 208 single-seat light attack aircraft, complementing the RMAF’s F/A-18D Hornet and Su-30MKM.

The program is part of the RMAF’s «Capability 55» plan. Launched in 2018, it stipulates the acquisition of 36 new LCA / LIFT platforms in two phases, with 18 aircraft to be purchased from 2021 and the remainder from 2025. The 36 aircraft are intended to equip one LIFT squadron and two LCAs.

KAI is hopeful that it will also win this contract, which would bring the number of T-50/FA-50 family aircraft units exported worldwide to 240.

KAI is also promoting its KF-21 Boramae

KAI is also focusing on marketing the KF-21 in Southeast Asia, and as with the sale to Poland, the Korean company considers every new FA-50 customer a potential buyer for the Boramae and invites them to learn more about the program and discuss possibilities for collaboration.

The KF-21 Boramae test program is proceeding apace, and five of the six prototypes built (four single-seat and one two-seat tandem) have already flown. Recently an Indonesian Air Force test pilot flew one of the two-seater prototypes for the first time.

Development of the Korean aircraft will continue until 2026, when serial production of Block I units, which are 4.5-generation aircraft, will begin. Between 2026 and 2028, development phase 2 will take place, with an estimated cost of USD 490 million, in which work will be carried out on the integration of new guided armament and, probably, on the internal armament bay that should be available for the Block 2 aircraft.