RMAF Denies Viral Social Media Claims Regarding F-5 Fighter Jet

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) issued a press statement tonight affirming that all its aircraft are under its full control.

The statement emphasized that every RMAF-owned aircraft is managed in a systematic, secure, and operationally appropriate manner.

This announcement was in response to posts, photos, and videos circulating on certain local social media platforms that purportedly depict an F-5 fighter jet allegedly belonging to Malaysia at one of the country’s ports.

“The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) would like to clarify the following:

Following the circulation of images and videos of aircraft frames (reported to be of the American-made F-5E model) on social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and X, RMAF asserts that these aircraft are not part of its fleet.

The RMAF further emphasizes that all aircraft under its ownership remain within its custody and are managed in a systematic, secure manner, consistent with its operational requirements,” the statement read.

The RMAF also urged the public to refrain from making assumptions that could lead to unfounded speculation or misperceptions regarding this matter.

The RMAF previously operated F-5E fighter jets in the 1970s before phasing them out and replacing them with newer fighter models.

The Northrop Corporation-developed F-5 was the first supersonic fighter jet to serve with the RMAF.

At one point, the RMAF reportedly had up to 16 F-5 fighter jets in its fleet.

Besides Malaysia, the F-5 was also operated by several Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Thailand, and South Vietnam (before the Vietnam War).

Today, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that still maintains F-5 fighters, though they have been upgraded. – DSA