‘Substantially more capable’: A closer look at Malaysia’s upcoming South Korean-made fighter jets

“Malaysia will be getting an improved combat capability that can even take over some of the missions and even surpass that of the retired MiG-29s,” Mike Yeo, Asia correspondent for US-based defence publication Defense News, told CNA.

“Having sufficient numbers of FA-50s will mean the RMAF’s air policing capabilities in safeguarding Malaysia’s airspace will be enhanced.”

Naradichiantama told CNA that the FA-50’s ability to fly at supersonic speeds – not typical for FLIT-LCA aircraft – helps it “stand apart” from jets used in similar roles by other countries in the region.

This includes Vietnam’s Yakovlev Yak-130, Indonesia’s Embraer EMB-314 and Singapore’s Aermacchi M-346.

“The FA-50 is a substantially more capable platform than the types it is replacing,” he wrote in the IISS blog.

WHY THE FA-50 WAS SELECTED

When CNA asked Malaysia Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan why the country chose the FA-50, he replied that its “number one” consideration was the jet’s service record, echoing a response he gave to parliament on Mar 16.

“We cannot take the risk and acquire assets that are still at the prototype stage. Our personnel will use this jet, so safety is in our criteria,” Mohamad told a press conference on May 22 previewing the LIMA exhibition.