Malaysia's Defence Ministry will begin evaluating Multi-Role Combat Aircraft in 2030 to replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force's F/A-18 Hornets and Sukhoi Su-30MKMs, which are expected to be decommissioned around 2035. [1, 2, 3]
Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the air force needs to start planning now because the two fleets are due to retire in about 9 years. He said, "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." [2]
He also said Malaysia will receive 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft in stages beginning at the end of this year. The jets will replace the Hawk 108/208 fleet and also serve alongside the F/A-18 and Sukhoi aircraft still in service. He said the FA-50 has better technology than the Hawk and will complement the current fighter fleet. [1, 2, 3]
The FA-50 order was signed in 2023, when Malaysia concluded a deal with Korea Aerospace Industries for 18 aircraft worth RM4.08 billion. The ministry has also said procurement funds for the armed forces have been unfrozen, allowing military acquisitions to proceed as planned. [1, 2, 3]
Malaysia has dropped a separate plan to buy used F/A-18 aircraft from Kuwait. That leaves the FA-50s and the later MRCA evaluation as the main steps in the air force's modernisation plan. [1, 2, 3]
On the naval side, Malaysia is still pressing Norway over a missile shipment for the Royal Malaysian Navy's littoral combat ships. The government said Norway was due to deliver the naval strike missiles in March, but blocked the export licence days before shipment. Malaysia now plans to meet Norway's defence minister in Singapore at the end of this month to discuss the issue. [1]
