25-5-2023 (Kuala Lumpur) Malaysia’s defence ministry announced on Thursday that it had signed contracts worth RM10.1 billion (US$2.28 billion) at this year’s Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition, including several new asset procurements.
The acquisitions include the purchase of 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and four units of Sikorsky’s Black Hawk helicopters to be leased from Malaysian firm Aerotree Defence and Services, according to a statement by the ministry.
KAI, South Korea’s only warplane manufacturer, won a bid to supply the jets to Malaysia for approximately US$920 million, as reported in the media in February. These acquisitions come as Malaysia looks to upgrade or replace several aging military assets.
The defence ministry has allocated RM17.7 billion for this year’s budget, a 10% increase from its funding in 2022. The Royal Malaysian Air Force will also be acquiring three unmanned aerial systems from Turkish Aerospace Industries and two maritime patrol aircraft from Italian firm Leonardo SpA, the ministry said.
The ministry stated that plans are in place to acquire more defence assets under the next Malaysian Rolling Plan, which refers to the country’s five-year economic roadmap series
