KUALA LUMPUR: Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is confident the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will acquire another batch of 18 units of FA-50M light combat aircraft, bringing the total number of the fighter aircraft it will possess to 36 units.
Speaking to Bernama in an interview, KAI's Regional Manager for Asia Park Shangshin anticipated that negotiation for the second batch of 18 FA-50M between the South Korean aerospace giant and Malaysia would start in the second half of 2026 and be completed by early 2027.
"I think it is very much likely (for Malaysia to opt for a follow-on order of another 18 units of FA-50M) because we are on track on the first batch, and I believe our customer (Malaysia) is very satisfied with the implementation of the contract.
"If RMAF wants the same platform as the first batch, then I think the second batch (another 18 FA-50M) is just the continuation of the first batch," he said when met on the sidelines of Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (Natsec) Asia 2024 exhibition here.
In May last year, Malaysia and KAI signed a contract worth almost RM4 billion for 18 units of FA-50 Block 20, which was later named FA-50M (Malaysia).
The RMAF, according to KAI's senior officials, will be getting its hands on the most capable variant of the light combat aircraft.
The FA-50M variant procured by Malaysia is more advanced and capable than the FA-50 operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force and other countries in the region, including Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Currently, only RMAF and the Polish Air Force have opted for the latest variant of the 'Fighting Eagle'.
Asked about the delivery date for 18 units of Malaysia's FA-50M, Park said the RMAF would receive their South Korean-made light combat aircraft from Oct 2026, and the delivery would continue until June 2027 when the last of the18 units of the fighter aircraft is finally delivered to the country.
He also said Malaysia's FA-50 variant would be of similar capabilities to the FA-50 procured by Poland, with both air forces operating the most-capable variants of the FA-50, which are equipped with the cutting-edge Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and Sniper ATP (Advanced Targeting Pod).
Besides the PhantomStrike AESA radar developed by RTX (formerly known as Raytheon) and Sniper ATP, Malaysia's FA-50M light combat aircraft is also slated to be equipped with a Chobham air-refuelling probe for extended-range missions.
The latest variant of the FA-50 acquired by Malaysia is also capable of carrying precision-guided bombs and other smart weapons.
Park was also asked about KAI's other high-profile project, namely the ongoing development of the KF-21 Boramae 4.5th generation fighter aircraft and whether the aircraft is a good fit for RMAF, which plans to replace its long-serving F/A-18D and Sukhoi Su-30MKM Multi-Role Combat Aircrafts (MRCA) in 2035 and 2040.
"Sure, of course, I believe that it's (KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft) going to be the optimal solution (for RMAF)," he said, adding that KAI has not started formal discussions with the Malaysian government regarding the KF-21 offer.
Launched in 2015, the KF-21 aircraft development programme is estimated to cost US$6.59 billion (RM26.36 billion).
KAI plans to deliver 40 units of the KF-21 Block 1 aircraft designed for air-to-air missions in 2026, followed by 80 units of the Block 2 aircraft for air-to-ground missions in the subsequent phase.
The South Korean aerospace giant also reportedly intends to start exporting the KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft to interested customers after fulfilling the needs of the country's air force.– BERNAMA