KAI Exports 18 FA-50s to Malaysia, The Largest Export Ever in the Southeast Asian Market

24 Februari 2023

FA-50 for TUDM with air refueler (photo : Defense Studies)

Korea Aerospace Industries ( KAI) succeeded in winning a large-scale export contract for the light fighter FA-50. It has been five months since exporting to Poland last year.

KAI announced on the 24th that it had signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense of Malaysia to export 18 FA-50s. It is worth 920 million dollars (approximately 1.2 trillion won), the largest single contract for export to the Southeast Asian market. The FA-50, to be introduced by Malaysia, will be delivered in 2026 with improved performance such as aerial refueling and armament expansion. In particular, Malaysia is planning to introduce 18 additional aircraft of the same type as the FA-50, so KAI is also expecting additional orders.

FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft (image : KAI)

A total of six aircraft participated in the bidding, including the FA-50, the Tejas of India, the JF-17 of Pakistan, the MIG-35 of Russia, and the Hurizet of Turkey. The FA-50 succeeded in winning the order after a last-minute competition with Tejas. The previous export record was the driving force. This is KAI's fourth export of domestic aircraft to the Southeast Asian market, following Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, as it has been highly evaluated in terms of performance and efficiency as well as follow-up support capabilities.

KAI explained that the government's formation of a private-government-military One Team to foster the defense industry as a national strategic industry also contributed to exports. In November of last year, President Yoon Seok-yeol met with ASEAN leaders at the Korea-ASEAN summit to discuss cooperation in the defense industry and requested interest and support from the Malaysian government. When the Malaysian inspection team visited Korea in October of last year, the Korean Air Force also shared operational status such as flight training and maintenance systems, supported evaluation flights, and increased reliability in the performance of domestic aircraft.

Signing of FA-50 contract for TUDM (photo : ROKArmedForces)

KAI exported a total of 222 domestic aircraft, including the first project in Malaysia. KAI plans to challenge exports of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet and Surion mobile helicopter, which are currently being developed smoothly after successfully flying at supersonic speed. In particular, the goal is to expand the market not only to the Middle East and Africa, but also to Australia and the United States.

“This export is the result of strengthening cooperation between the governments of the two countries,” said KAI President Koo-Young Kang.

(Chosun)