The purchase of 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft, worth RM4.08 billion from South Korea has taken into account various factors including the country’s needs involving aspects of strategy, policy and the Defence White Paper.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said that the aspect of expertise in operating the aircraft as well as the country’s current economy were also considered to ensure that the asset could be fully utilised by the national defence industry.
“So, when we have made a decision through a transparent procurement process, what matters most now is we can deliver it to the end user within the set period,” he told reporters after officiating the Alor Gajah Parliamentary service centre, here today.
According to Adly, based on the ministry’s assessment, the FA-50 light attack aircraft produced by Korea Aerospace Industries Co (KAI) was the best.
KAI, which is South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer on Friday said it has secured a US$920 million (RM4.08bil) contract to sell 18 fighter jets to Malaysia, with the delivery set to begin in 2026.
KAI signed the deal with the Malaysian Defence Ministry to export 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft, beating India’s Tejas, Pakistan’s JF-17, Russia’s MIG-35 and Turkey’s Hurizet, Yonhap news agency reported the company said in a statement. (end of excerpt)
(Click here for the full story, on the Sun Daily webite.)
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