First two FA-50M fighter jets arrive at Kuantan airbase
Six more aircraft are expected by April, with the remaining 10 to be delivered in stages through early 2028.
On October 30, two newly acquired FA-50M light combat aircraft from Korea arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Labuan Air Base. The aircraft, manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries, then flew to Kuantan Air Base, arriving in Kuantan around 3:40 pm today. The RMAF's official Facebook page posted images of the aircraft landing safely at Kuantan Air Base, with a post stating that the FA-50M aircraft, identified as M58-01 and M58-02, had successfully landed.
These FA-50M aircraft are part of a larger 18-unit order under Malaysia's Fighter Lead-In Training and Light Combat Aircraft programme. The remaining aircraft in this order will be delivered in stages until early 2028. The FA-50M fleet is set to replace the RMAF's Hawk aircraft once those are decommissioned in 2028.
During the aircraft's arrival in Labuan, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin witnessed the event. He announced that the FA-50M would serve dual roles as a lead-in fighter trainer and a light combat aircraft. In 2023, the Defence Ministry had signed a contract worth nearly RM4 billion with Korea Aerospace Industries for the procurement of 18 FA-50 Block 20 aircraft, designated as FA-50M.
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- First two FA-50M fighter jets arrive at Kuantan airbase freemalaysiatoday.com
- RMAF's two new FA-50M jets arrive in Kuantan nst.com.my
