Malaysia Defence Minister Visits KAI and Hanwha, Inspects FA-50M Manufacturing Facilities

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin concluded his five-day working visit to South Korea with visits to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon and Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon.

He stated that both companies, which produce military assets, are responsible for building 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), with deliveries starting in 2026.

The acquisition of these 18 aircraft was finalized in May last year under a contract valued at nearly RM4 billion.

“I had the opportunity to witness demonstrations of defense products, visit manufacturing facilities, and receive updates on the progress of the FA-50M aircraft. Alhamdulillah, everything is on track, with 39 percent of the work completed,” he said in a post on his Facebook account today.

“This acquisition will undoubtedly enhance the readiness of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), particularly the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF),” he added.

The RMAF is expected to receive the first batch of four FA-50M aircraft in October 2026.

The remaining aircraft will be delivered in stages, with the final delivery scheduled for 2028.

Sources told Defence Security Asia that all 18 of these light combat aircraft will initially operate out of the Kuantan Air Base.

The RMAF’s FA-50M is the most advanced and capable variant compared to those procured by other countries, including South Korea and several Southeast Asian nations.

Only Poland’s FA-50PL variant is comparable to Malaysia’s FA-50M.

In an interview with Bernama at Langkawi last May, KAI’s CEO, Kang Goo-Young, stated that the FA-50M variant purchased by Malaysia is more advanced and capable than the FA-50 variant operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).

Sources previously told Defence Security Asia that pilot training will commence in early 2026, involving six pilots over a period of three to six months, including simulator training.

One of the key differences between Malaysia’s FA-50M and other countries’ FA-50 variants is the integration of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) “PhantomStrike” radar, along with the latest electronic components and an in-flight refueling system.

Regarding Hanwha Aerospace, Mohamed Khaled mentioned that the company manufactures the F404 engines for the FA-50M aircraft.

“I took the opportunity to visit their manufacturing facility and received presentations on the company’s defense products and systems, covering land, sea, air, and space domains,” he said.

The Defence Minister emphasized that, in line with the nation’s goals, the Ministry of Defence will continue to modernize defense assets and expand the local defense industry.

“We must fully leverage opportunities like these acquisitions, particularly in offset programs and technology transfers,” he added.

“All these efforts aim to ensure the development of our local industry and to achieve the country’s objective of self-reliance in defense,” he concluded. — DSA