Friday, February 24, 2023

Korea Aerospace wins RM4bil fighter aircraft contract from Malaysia


FMT:

Korea Aerospace wins RM4bil fighter aircraft contract from Malaysia


Malaysia’s defence ministry to buy 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft from South Korea.


Malaysia selected the FA-50 fighter jets over competing aircraft from India, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey. (File pic)

kt comments" FMT has incorrect photo, that of the Indian Tejas - I've replaced that with a Korean FA-50


PETALING JAYA: Korea Aerospace Industries Co (KAI), South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, has won a US$920 million (RM4.08 billion) fighter aircraft deal from Malaysia, with the delivery set to begin in 2026.

KAI signed the deal with the 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 quoted the company as saying in a statement.


It is the fourth time that KAI has signed an aircraft deal with a Southeast Asian country after Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, the statement said.

With the latest deal, KAI has exported 68 KT-1 basic and T-50 advanced trainer jets, as well as FA-50 aircraft, to Southeast Asian markets.


Globally, it has obtained deals to supply 222 aircraft to countries including Iraq, Poland, Peru and Senegal.

KAI also expects to win a deal to provide another 18 FA-50s to Malaysia as the country plans to beef up its aircraft fleet, according to the report.

It aims to expand exports of its aircraft to the Middle East, Africa, Australia, the US and other markets.


1 comment:

  1. Funny thing is, the FA-50 is like "Buying an American Plane, when you don't want to buy an American
    Plane".

    Engines from General Electric, avionics , radar from Lockheed Martin, weapons package from various American suppliers or other NATO Standard suppliers.

    I guess the South Koreans found a profitable niche for exactly such a market. Countries that want to access an affordable package containing reasonably advanced level of Wankee technology, but don't want the unwelcome baggage of dealing with the Wankees...wakaka..

    ReplyDelete