Malaysia to receive first two FA-50M fighter jets on October 30

FA-50M Royal Malaysian Air Force Korea Aerospace Industries fighter jets defense procurement

Malaysia is set to receive its first two FA-50M light combat aircraft on October 30, marking the beginning of a delivery schedule for 18 jets ordered from South Korea's Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The contract, valued at nearly RM4 billion, was signed in May 2023.

The first two aircraft, with tail numbers M58-01 and M58-02, departed from the KAI facility in Sacheon and transited through Jeju International Airport on October 28. The ferry flight is scheduled to stop in Laoag, Philippines, and Labuan, Sabah, before the final arrival at Kuantan Air Base in Pahang.

To facilitate the long-distance flight without aerial refueling, the jets are equipped with 275-gallon and 300-gallon external fuel tanks. The FA-50M is a Block 20 variant featuring Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, precision-guided munitions capabilities, and in-flight refueling compatibility. The remaining 16 aircraft are expected to be delivered in stages through March 2028.