Malaysia’s first Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50M arrived at Labuan Air Base on 30 October, beginning deliveries under the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s order for 18 aircraft. The jet is due to continue to its planned base at Kuantan, where No. 15 Squadron will operate the fleet. The FA-50Ms are intended to replace the RMAF’s Hawk 108/208 aircraft, which are scheduled to retire in 2028.
The aircraft made a transit stop at Labuan after flying from South Korea. Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin witnessed its arrival. The formal handover ceremony is planned for mid-November at Kuantan. Reporting on the arrival indicates that a second aircraft, which had been scheduled to travel with the first, was delayed by a technical issue.
Malaysia expects to receive six aircraft by April 2027, with the remaining jets due in early 2028. The 18-aircraft contract was signed with KAI in 2023 and valued at about US$920 million by the manufacturer. The RMAF has begun preparing No. 15 Squadron, including training personnel in South Korea; the number of aircraft that will eventually be based at Labuan remains undecided and is to be assessed after the Hawks retire.