Malaysia to buy 18 FA-50 jets from South Korea

Asia-Pacific, News February 27, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Malaysia has given a $920 million contract to the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) for 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft. The Korean-made jet was in competition with India’s Teja light combat jet. The first delivery is due in 2026.

The South Korean FA-50 beat the Tejas light combat aircraft, made by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., for the Malaysian requirement. The country had shortlisted the two types out of an initial field that also included Pakistani-made JF-17 Thunder jets, Turkey’s Hurjet, and the Russian-made MiG-35s.

KAI signed the contract with Malaysia’s defense ministry for the delivery of 18 FA-50 Golden Eagle jets. The achievement is the company’s latest expansion into the Southeast Asian market after Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Malaysia is considering procuring an additional 18 FA-50 aircraft later.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force had been exploring the options to add 36 new lightweight combat and training aircraft to its fleet. Back in July 2022, it had become evident that Malaysia would buy the Korea-made jets after the Chief of Royal Malaysian Air Force General Asghar Khan Goriman Khan showed a keen interest and satisfaction towards the FA-50 fighter jets by describing the aircraft as a ‘reliable’ and ‘affordable supersonic option’ among other options.

Malaysia has been going through a military modernization program to bolster its naval and aerial defense. Under the program, it plans to replace its fleet of BAE Systems-made Hawk trainers and light combat aircraft, which has suffered from a high attrition rate in recent years. The country also wants to replace 16 MiG-29 interceptors that were retired in 2017 due to inadequate funding for sustainment. But a planned multirole combat aircraft program to replace the aircraft also stalled due to budget constraints.

*^{South Korea’s TA-50 Fighter Trainer aircraft. (Image Credit KAI)}*

The FA-50 light attack aircraft is indigenously produced by the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI). The FA-50 fighter jet was developed to replace South Korea’s aging fleet of F-5E/F and A-37 front-line light attack combat aircraft. The plane was designed by KAI in collaboration with American defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin, in the late 1990s, and the first production unit was introduced into service in 2005. The single-engine jet is powered by a General Electric F404 turbofan, which can propel it to the speeds of Mach 1.5 making it a supersonic jet. The plane has a flight range of 1,850 kilometers.

South Korea’s FA-50 Golden Eagle jets are currently being used by the air forces of Indonesia, the Philippines, Iraq, and Thailand. At one point U.S. Air Force also considered acquiring the FA-50 Golden Eagle jets for its T-X trainer program, however, the deal could not go through.

Many other countries are also considering purchasing Korean-made multi-role light-attack fighter jets to be used for training purposes due to their affordable price tag and low maintenance cost. The list of prospective buyer countries includes Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Spain, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates.