MRCA Evaluation To Begin In 2030s, FA-50 Deliveries By Year-End - Khaled

KLUANG, May 12 (Bernama) -- The Defence Ministry will begin the evaluation process for the acquisition of Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) in the 2030s, in line with plans to replace the country’s key air assets.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed 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 around 2035.

“We have the F-18 and Sukhoi aircraft that are expected to be decommissioned in 2035. This means that by 2030, we need to begin evaluating which aircraft should be acquired to replace those assets,” he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) MADANI Economy programme at Batu 3 Camp here today.

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

He said the acquisition of the FA-50 was a strategic move as the Hawk aircraft currently in use are based on older technology and are 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 had signed a letter of acceptance for the procurement of FA-50 fighter aircraft worth RM4.08 billion with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), 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 (LIMA’23).

Regarding earlier plans to acquire F-18 aircraft from Kuwait, Mohamed Khaled said the proposal had been shelved for certain reasons.

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.

Mohamed Khaled, who accompanied His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on his recent special visit to Russia, said the trip had provided Malaysia with the opportunity to observe and assess the latest military technologies to ensure future defence asset acquisitions are aligned with the National Defence Doctrine.

He said observations of various military assets, including fighter aircraft, ships, missiles and radar systems, were important to enable the ministry to compare the best technologies available on the global market.

-- BERNAMA