Malaysia takes delivery of first two South Korean FA-50M fighter jets

LABUAN, Oct 30 — Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today received the first two FA-50M light combat aircraft acquired by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), marking an important milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its air defence capabilities.

The two aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), arrived today at RMAF Labuan base, after being flown from Sacheon, Republic of Korea.

“The official handover ceremony is scheduled to take place in mid-November at RMAF Kuantan Air Base,” he told reporters at RMAF Labuan base here today.

Khaled described the acquisition as a significant moment for the country in enhancing its military capabilities and safeguarding national sovereignty.

He said the acquisition also supported the RMAF’s long-term capability development under its Capability Development Plan 2055, commonly known as CAP55.

He said the government would also consider acquiring a second batch of more modern and advanced fighter aircraft to further strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities, although the country of origin for future procurement had yet to be determined.

“The 18 FA-50M aircraft were procured under Malaysia’s Fighter Lead-In Training and Light Combat Aircraft programme, following the planned decommissioning of the RMAF’s Hawk aircraft in 2028,” he said.

Khaled said RMAF was expected to receive a total of six FA-50M aircraft by April 2027, with the remaining units scheduled for delivery in early 2028.

He said the ministry would determine the number of FA-50M aircraft to be based in Labuan following the decommissioning of the Hawk aircraft.

The FA-50M is a two-seat aircraft capable of supporting crewed flight training as well as demanding operational missions.

It can reach speeds of up to Mach 1.2, enabling it to fly faster than the speed of sound and operate at high altitudes.

Meanwhile, 57 core personnel comprising six pilots, six engineering officers and 45 technicians have completed their training in the Republic of Korea to spearhead the new squadron.

All six pilots in the initial training group completed their flight training programme on Oct 21.

Mohamed Khaled said the aircraft would be operated by No. 15 Squadron, which already has more than 200 personnel, with preparations for its home base centred at the RMAF Kuantan Air Base. — Bernama

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纳闽，10月30日讯——国防部长拿督斯里穆罕默德·卡立·诺丁今日接收了马来西亚皇家空军（RMAF）采购的首批两架FA-50M轻型战斗机，这标志着该国在加强防空能力方面迈出了重要一步。

这两架由韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）研制的飞机今天抵达马来西亚皇家空军纳闽基地，它们从韩国泗川起飞。

“正式的交接仪式计划于11月中旬在马来西亚皇家空军关丹空军基地举行，”他今天在马来西亚皇家空军纳闽基地告诉记者。

哈立德称此次采购是该国增强军事能力和维护国家主权的重要时刻。

他表示，此次采购也支持马来西亚皇家空军根据其《2055 年能力发展计划》（通常称为 CAP55）进行的长期能力发展。

他表示，政府还将考虑采购第二批更现代化、更先进的战斗机，以进一步加强该国的防空能力，尽管未来采购的飞机来源国尚未确定。

他说：“这18架FA-50M飞机是根据马来西亚的战斗机进阶训练和轻型战斗机计划采购的，此前马来西亚皇家空军的鹰式战斗机计划于2028年退役。”

哈立德表示，马来西亚皇家空军预计将于 2027 年 4 月前接收共计 6 架 FA-50M 战斗机，其余飞机计划于 2028 年初交付。

他表示，在鹰式战斗机退役后，国防部将决定在纳闽部署多少架FA-50M战斗机。

FA-50M 是一款双座飞机，能够支持有人驾驶飞行训练以及执行高要求的作战任务。

它可以达到 1.2 马赫的速度，使其能够以超过音速的速度飞行并在高空运行。

与此同时，由六名飞行员、六名工程军官和四十五名技术人员组成的 57 名核心人员已在韩国完成训练，将领导这支新中队。

10月21日，初始训练组的六名飞行员全部完成了飞行训练计划。

穆罕默德·哈立德表示，这架飞机将由第15中队操作，该中队目前已有200多名人员，其驻地准备工作将以马来西亚皇家空军关丹空军基地为中心。——马新社

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