Malaysia on Track to Receive New FA-50M Fighter Jets This Month

At a ceremony for the Warriors' Fund Campaign 2026/2027 in Kuala Lumpur, Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Royal Malaysian Air Force will receive its FA-50M light combat aircraft on the agreed timetable. He indicated the first two jets are expected this month or the next, and that no reports of postponement have surfaced. The procurement, finalized in May 2023 between Malaysia's Ministry of Defence and Korea Aerospace Industries, totals close to RM4 billion for 18 FA-50 Block 20 fighters, a more capable version than those used by other regional air forces.

Senior officials including patron Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Army Chief Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman, Navy Chief Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain and Air Force Chief Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris were present. While the initial pair will land soon, the remaining aircraft will be delivered in stages up to March 2028.