KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is expected to receive its FA-50M light combat aircraft this month or next month, with no delays reported so far, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the exact arrival date of the fighter aircraft would be announced soon.
"According to the schedule, the aircraft will arrive this month or next month; I will announce the arrival date later. So far, I have not received any information regarding a delay in the delivery of the aircraft," he told reporters after the launching ceremony of the 2026/2027 Tabung Pahlawan Campaign here today.
Also present were the Tabung Pahlawan Campaign patron Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Army Chief General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman, Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, and Air Force Chief General Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris.
In May 2023, the Defence Ministry and the South Korean aerospace company signed a contract worth nearly RM4 billion for the procurement of 18 FA-50 Block 20 light combat aircraft, specifically designated as the FA-50M (Malaysia).
This variant is significantly more advanced and capable than the FA-50s operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and other nations, including Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
In June, RMAF confirmed that two FA-50M light combat aircraft were scheduled to arrive in Malaysia this month, while the remainder would be received in stages through March 2028.
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