Malaysia Requests Faster Delivery of South Korean FA-50M Fighter Jets

Malaysia has asked South Korea to accelerate the delivery of 18 FA-50M fighter jets, initially expected to be completed by 2026.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the request during his official visit to South Korea, where he held a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

“We are requesting that the acquisition of 18 FA-50M aircraft, which should arrive in 2026, be expedited,” the Prime Minister stated, as reported by Bernama. He emphasized the importance of advancing the delivery timeline but did not provide specific details about ongoing negotiations to achieve this goal.

The FA-50M jets are being manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in collaboration with Hanwha Aerospace. According to Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, 38% of the aircraft’s construction had been completed by September. The total cost of the acquisition is valued at RM4 billion (over $850 million).

The FA-50M is a light combat aircraft designed for multirole missions, and its selection is part of Malaysia’s efforts to modernize its air force capabilities. The aircraft is based on the FA-50 platform.