Malaysia Signs US$913 Million Contract to buy 18 South Korean FA-50 Combat Trainers

Korea Aerospace Industries( KAI) has signed a contract with Malaysia worth about 1.2 trillion won (US$913 million) for 18 FA-50 combat trainer aircraft in Kuala Lumpur today.
KAI said in a statement released to South Korean media that Malaysia is considering procuring an additional 18 FA-50 aircraft. The first aircraft will be delivered by 2026.
The FA-50 for Malaysia will be modified by adding an aerial refueling system and expanding its weapons capacity, KAI said.
This is the second export for the FA-50 in five months after a 48 unit order worth $3 Billion from Poland last year.
Malaysia joins countries in South East Asia such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand which have previously ordered the FA-50.
In this tender o buy light combat trainers, the FA-50 has got the better of India's LCA and Pakistan's JF-17 which were earlier considered favourites to bag the order.