As a run-up to the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace  2023, we showcase the latest light combat aircraft secured by the Malaysian Air Force – the South Korean made FA-50.

However, they will only make their appearance here in 2026. Some 18 aircrafts have been purchased from South Korea.

Malaysia is currently operating the MIkoyan or the MIG-29, SU-30MKM, F/A-18 Hornet and the Hawk 208 jets.

Competition for the Malaysian Air Force procurement were from the Tejas jets from India, Russia MIG-35, Turkey’s Hurizet and Pakistan’s JF-17.

The FA-50 is made by the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Fighting Eagle for its Light Combat Aircraft/Fighter Lead-In Trainer (LCA/FLIT).

Other countries in the ASEAN region using the FA 50 are Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

It has a flight range of 1,000 miles or 1,852 kilometres and has a speed of 1,837 Km/h.

Hopefully, we will see the FA-50 up close at the LIMA 2023 from May 23 to May 27, 2023.