RMAF to get FA50 for LCA Programme

Yesterday (24th February 2023), Korean Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI) announced that they had won the bid to supply 18 units of FA50 to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) for its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. The RM 4.1 billion (about USD 920 million) contract will see KAI deliver the combat aircraft to Malaysia beginning in 2026. 

South Korean Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) FA50. Source: RoKAF.

The Search

The announcement ended the protracted search for new aircraft for the ageing RMAF. The search for new aircraft had begun as early as 2007, originally intended to replace the ageing Russian-made MiG29N Fulcrum. However, the crash of an RMAF BAe Hawk 108 in June 2017 that killed two RMAF pilots, Major Mohd Hasri 'Fixer' Zahari and Major Yasmi 'Caser' Mohamed Yusof, highlighted the pressing need to replace the British Aerospace series of jets. The losses were significant as both were flight instructors and had participated in Ops Daulat, providing Close Air Support (CAS) to ground troops. 

Major Yasmi 'Caser' Mohamed Yusof (left) and Major Mohd Hasri 'Fixer' Zahari (right). Original photo: Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF),

Other aerospace makers that competed for the contract were Tejas from India's HAL, JF17 from China, and Turkish Hurjet.  

The FA50

The Korean-made FA50 is a variant of the T50 Golden Eagle training aircraft designed for the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF). Technical input for the aircraft includes expertise from Lockheed Martin, the US maker of the F16 Fighting Falcon series. Lockheed's involvement in the venture resulted in a plane that resembles the F16 Falcon, albeit smaller. The physical resemblance caused it to get the nickname, Baby Falcon. 

In an earlier analysis of the LCA contract, I mentioned that FA50 had gained quite a following. In September 2022, they managed to secure a contract to provide 48 units to Polish Air Force for approximately USD 3 billion, which brings the cost to USD 62.5 million per unit (in comparison, the FA50 will cost Malaysia about USD 51.4 million for each). The Polish Air Force intends to fully replace Soviet-era jets in Polish Air Force with the FA50. 

Currently, other operators of FA50 are South Korea, Iraq, and the Philippines, while the T50 training variants are in operation in Indonesia and Thailand. Several other countries have also expressed their interest.  

Operationally, FA50 makes a better candidate as it shares a certain level of commonality with existing platforms. For example, FA18D Hornet uses the same engine. The FA50 should also be able to use the same weapon system. 

RMAF Today

As mentioned earlier, the current contract is for the supply of 18 units of LCA. RMAF operates 8 FA18D Hornets, 18 SU30MKM, and BAe Hawk 108/208. Of the 18 units of BAe Hawk 10/208, 7 planes had been lost due to crashes in 9 incidents, killing seven pilots and one ground crew personnel. Unknown numbers are still in operation. The remaining ten units of MiG29Ns are no longer flying. Once the FA50s are operational, RMAF should consider doubling the number of FA50s to allow the MiG29Ns to be retired from service. Concurrently, RMAF can plan to reduce the type of aircraft for the combat wing, which currently can be described as rojak.

The Price Paid

With this news, RMAF pilots would be cheering that they will finally get new planes. But Caser, Fixit, and Capt Mohamad Affendy Bustamy have since paid the price for our sovereignty with their lives.