KUALA LUMPUR: The air force is expected to receive the FA-50M light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries according to schedule, says defence minister Khaled Nordin.
Khaled 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 launch of the Warriors' Fund Campaign 2026/2027 here today.
In May 2023, the ministry and Korea Aerospace signed a contract worth nearly RM4 billion for 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 Korean air force and other nations, including Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
In June, the Malaysian air force said two jets were scheduled to arrive in October, while the remainder would be received in stages through March 2028.