Malaysia seen turning to Türkiye’s Kaan fighter jets but faces cost hurdles

 

MALAYSIA is most likely to turn to Türkiye for its next-generation fighter aircraft, according to Ian Storey, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.

But it will need to sharply increase defence spending to afford a new range of fighter jets.

Storey said Türkiye’s Kaan stealth fighter — which made its maiden flight last year — is emerging as the most suitable option for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). He noted that Malaysia has recently ordered drones and warships from Türkiye, underscoring Kuala Lumpur’s growing defence ties with Ankara.

“Ankara has offered Malaysia the jewel in its defence sector’s crown: the Kaan, a fifth-generation fighter that is cheaper than the US-made F-35 and more technologically advanced than Russia’s Su-57,” Storey wrote.

“There would be no geopolitical strings attached either.”

Indonesia’s order for 48 Kaan fighters, valued at about US$10 billion, highlights the costs involved. Malaysia would face similar expenses, with each aircraft and its associated systems working out at around US$200mil.

Currently, Malaysia spends only 1% of gross domestic product on defence, with limited funds for new equipment. Even with plans to raise the budget to 1.5% by 2030, Storey warned this would still be insufficient to cover the RMAF’s need for 36 new fighters to replace its ageing fleet.

“If Malaysia is to keep up with its neighbours and maintain a credible deterrent in the South China Sea, it will have to find a lot more money for the RMAF — and quickly,” he said. –   Focus Malaysia