Malaysia’s fighter procurement strategy is taking an unexpected turn, and it could have ripple effects on the global defense market.
Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin recently revealed that the 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft ordered from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) simply won’t be enough to cover the country’s operational needs.
He admitted Malaysia is now considering expanding its order as delays from a planned Kuwaiti fighter transfer continue to leave gaps in the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Originally, Malaysia was expecting to acquire used F/A-18C/D Legacy Hornets from Kuwait, a move that would have bolstered its air power with proven American platforms.
But the deal has been stuck in limbo. Kuwait told Kuala Lumpur that it can’t release the jets until replacements arrive, and the U.S. has already notified Kuwait of yet another delay. Kuwait plans to swap out its Hornets for Eurofighter Typhoons and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets,
but COVID-19 disrupted Eurofighter deliveries, while Washington’s own defense priorities pushed Super Hornet production for Kuwait further back in the line.
That leaves Malaysia with an increasingly narrow window. Even if the Kuwaiti deal comes through, the jets would only serve until around 2032–2035 before retirement, giving Malaysia perhaps eight years of use at most.
For a country managing tight defense budgets and looking to stretch every dollar, the math no longer adds up. “If the delivery slips to 2028 or 2029, both the cost and benefits would disappear,” Nordin said, signaling that Malaysia may walk away from the secondhand Hornets altogether.
Instead, Malaysia is leaning harder into its Korean connection. In February 2023, Kuala Lumpur signed a $920 million deal with KAI for 18 FA-50s, with deliveries starting in 2026. Officials are already talking about a second batch of 18 jets as early as next year, which would double the fleet.
While the FA-50 is a lightweight fighter, Malaysia’s defense chief admits the country still needs true multi-role capabilities—something that could open the door to more advanced acquisitions down the road.
That’s where Korea’s KF-21 comes in. South Korea has been actively pitching its next-generation supersonic fighter to Malaysia, showcasing prototypes and even offering test flights earlier this year.
The KF-21 is designed to compete with fourth-plus generation platforms like the F-16V and Gripen E, and Seoul clearly sees Malaysia as a potential early export customer.
For American defense watchers, the dynamics are worth following. Malaysia’s move away from relying on U.S.-origin Kuwaiti Hornets and toward new-build Korean fighters highlights shifting trends in the global arms market. As Washington juggles its own defense priorities, countries in Southeast Asia are increasingly willing to diversify their suppliers.
The big question now is whether Malaysia will stick with the FA-50 as a stopgap or take the leap into the KF-21, adding a whole new layer to the region’s airpower balance.
KAI showcased KF-21 models at Malaysia’s Langkawi air show min May.
