Multirole combat aircraft evaluation to begin in 2029

 Defence minister Khaled Nordin says the move follows plans to replace the F-18 and Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter aircraft.

The government signed a letter of acceptance for the procurement of FA-50 fighter aircraft worth RM4.08 billion with Korea Aerospace Industries in February 2023.

KLUANG:

The defence ministry will begin its evaluation process for the acquisition of multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) in 2029 or 2030, in line with plans to replace the country’s key air assets.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said the move was aimed at replacing the existing F-18 and Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter aircraft, which are expected to be decommissioned in 2035 or 2036.

“We have the F-18 and Sukhoi aircraft that are expected to be decommissioned in 2035. This means that by 2030, we need to start evaluating which aircraft to acquire to replace those assets,” he told reporters after officiating a Malaysian Armed Forces programme here.

On the replacement of the Hawk aircraft, Khaled said the armed forces would receive 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft in stages beginning from the end of this year.

He said the acquisition of the FA-50 was a strategic move as the Hawk aircraft currently in use was based on older technology and was expected to be retired in the near future.

“The FA-50 possesses more advanced technological capabilities than the Hawk. It will not only replace the Hawk, but also complement the F-18 and Sukhoi fighter aircraft currently in our inventory,” he said.

The government signed a letter of acceptance for the procurement of FA-50 fighter aircraft worth RM4.08 billion with Korea Aerospace Industries, the sole manufacturer of the South Korean aircraft, in February 2023.

The purchase agreement was subsequently formalised during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023.

Khaled also said a previous proposal to acquire F-18 aircraft from Kuwait had been shelved.

However, he assured that the 18 FA-50 aircraft to be received would be sufficient for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and airspace defence for the time being. - FMT