Malaysia will complete the delivery of 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft by March 2028, upgrading the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fleet.
The procurement, valued at nearly RM4 billion, aims to modernize the nation’s air defense capabilities under the 12th Malaysia Plan, Free Malaysia Today reported.
First two jets arrive in Kuantan
The RMAF officially received the first two FA-50M units at the beginning of November. These aircraft arrived at Kuantan Air Base following a transit through Labuan, according to El Cronista. The jets departed Sacheon, South Korea, on Oct. 29, making technical stops in Jeju and the Philippines before arriving in Malaysia.
While the aircraft have touched down, they are currently undergoing final acceptance tests. The RMAF expects the official induction of these initial units into the operational inventory by the end of November 2026, El Cronista noted.
Delivery schedule through 2028
The remaining 16 aircraft will arrive in phases to ensure a smooth transition for the air force. Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that four additional jets are scheduled for delivery in April 2027, timed to arrive ahead of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2027, The Star reported.
The final 12 aircraft are expected to be delivered by March 2028, completing the full order of 18 jets, The Vibes reported. This phased approach allows the military to manage the integration of systems and personnel training alongside the existing fleet.
Replacing the aging Hawk fleet
The FA-50M procurement is designed to phase out the RMAF’s aging Hawk 108 and 208 aircraft, which are slated for retirement by 2028, El Cronista reported. The new jets will serve a dual role as advanced fighter lead-in trainers and light combat aircraft.
“All the aircraft will be based in Kuantan, Pahang, while their subsequent deployment will be considered after the Hawk aircraft are decommissioned,” Mohamed Khaled told reporters at an event in Kota Tinggi. Currently, No. 15 Squadron has moved to Kuantan with over 200 personnel to oversee the transition, according to El Cronista.
Modernizing air defense assets
The FA-50M, a variant of the Block 20, incorporates technologies similar to the F-16 platform. Upgrades include the integration of the RTX PhantomStrike AESA radar and the ability to mount Sniper targeting pods, according to El Cronista. These capabilities are intended to provide the RMAF with greater precision and range for light combat missions.
| Milestone | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Initial Delivery | November 2026 |
| Second Batch (4 units) | April 2027 |
| Final Procurement Completion | March 2028 |
RMAF replaces ageing Hawk fleet with FA-50M aircraft
The RMAF is replacing its ageing Hawk fleet with FA-50M aircraft as part of the Fighter Lead-In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft programme. The Hawk 108 and 208 aircraft have reached an age where they require replacement to maintain operational readiness. The RMAF plans to fully retire these legacy assets by 2028 as the FA-50M fleet becomes operational, The Star reported.
An initial group of 57 specialists, including six pilots and 45 technicians, has already completed training in South Korea to facilitate the introduction of the new aircraft, El Cronista noted.
Where will the FA-50M fleet be stationed?
All 18 aircraft will be based at the air base in Kuantan, Pahang, The Vibes reported. Further deployment plans will be evaluated by the Ministry of Defence once the Hawk fleet is fully decommissioned.
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