KUALA LUMPUR – The Defence Ministry will begin assessing potential Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) acquisitions in the 2030s as part of efforts to modernise Malaysia’s air fleet.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the evaluation is intended to replace the country’s F-18 and Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets, which are slated for decommissioning around 2035.
“We have the F-18 and Sukhoi aircraft that are expected to be decommissioned in 2035. This means that by 2030, we need to begin evaluating which aircraft should be acquired to replace those assets,” he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Madani Economy programme at Batu 3 Camp in Kluang today.
On plans to replace the Hawk aircraft, Khaled said the armed forces would receive 18 FA-50 light combat jets in phases starting at the end of this year.
He described the acquisition as a strategic move, noting that the Hawks are ageing and will soon be retired.
“The FA-50 possesses more advanced technological capabilities than the Hawk. It will not only replace the Hawk, but also complement the F-18 and Sukhoi fighter aircraft currently in our inventory,” he said.
The government signed a letter of acceptance in February 2023 for the procurement of FA-50 jets worth RM4.08 billion with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the sole manufacturer of the aircraft. The purchase was formalised at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA’23).
Regarding earlier plans to acquire F-18s from Kuwait, Mohamed Khaled said the proposal was shelved for undisclosed reasons.
Nonetheless, he assured that the 18 FA-50s would be sufficient to safeguard Malaysia’s airspace and sovereignty for the foreseeable future.
Khaled, who accompanied the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on a recent special visit to Russia, said the trip provided an opportunity to observe and assess the latest military technologies, ensuring that future acquisitions align with the National Defence Doctrine.
He added that observing fighter jets, ships, missiles and radar systems was crucial to enable comparisons of the most advanced technologies available internationally. — May 12, 2026