By Abdul Rahman Fahmi Abdul Aziz and Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- The procurement programme for 18 FA-50M Block 20 light combat aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is currently ahead of schedule, with the first four jets expected to arrive by the end of the year.
Kemalak Group chief executive officer Maj (Rtd) Mohd Iswandi Mohd Sharif said the delivery of the first batch will be carried out in two phases.
"The FA-50M programme is on track and ahead of schedule. Delivery is expected to begin with two aircraft in October and December, bringing the total number of aircraft received this year to four, as stipulated in the contract,” he told Bernama in a recent interview.
Mohd Iswandi said the delivery of the remaining 14 aircraft will continue in phases beginning next year, with the entire fleet expected to be fully handed over to the RMAF by 2028.
He noted that the FA-50M flight simulator system, developed by local strategic partner Ikramatik Systems Sdn Bhd, is 100 per cent complete and pending approval for installation.
The local firm was appointed by the aircraft's South Korean manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), under the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), and its capability in developing the high-tech system has also led to its appointment as one of KAI’s official global suppliers.
On the ongoing West Asia conflict and oil price volatility, Mohd Iswandi said the company has not faced any major issues, as it continues to operate in accordance with its contractual timeline.
He said that at this stage, Kemalak’s plans remain minimal and have yet to involve large-scale implementation.
He added that any operational impact at this stage is largely confined to internal aspects such as manpower, rather than significant costs or major commitments.
“At the same time, we are also aligning our requirements with the Royal Malaysian Air Force as well as the newly launched National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN). All these factors are being taken into account in our planning,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
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