Page 28 - ADT MARCH / APRIL 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

before August 2024 February 2023 to buy 18 FA-50 International Maritime and
as contained in the fighter jets manufactured by KAI Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition last
May.
Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.
Sixth Supplementary The delivery of the aircraft will begin
Agreement (SA 6),” in 2026. The other deals included two
the PAC said. Leonardo ATR 72 twin-turboprop
Malaysia will be the fourth maritime patrol aircraft (MPA)
Southeast Asian nation to acquire
Malaysia also plans to buy 155mm the T-50 and its variants along to meet Phase 1 of the RMAF’s
Self Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and with Indonesia, the Philippines and MPA program. The aircraft will
its associated infrastructure for the Thailand, according to KAI. Iraq be equipped with Leonardo’s
MAF. also uses the aircraft. Airborne Tactical Observation and
Surveillance mission system. The
Mindef is renegotiating the price tag The deal demonstrates the rising purchase is valued at MYR790 mil-
before finalising the purchase, said prowess of South Korea’s defence lion (US$175 million).
the defence minister. The procure- industry in the region.
ment, valued at about RM819.09 In addition, Malaysia also bought
million, progressed through a KAI is in pursuit of performance three Anka medium-altitude
selected pre-qualification tender improvement, including beef-up long-endurance (MALE) unmanned
involving six bidders. of arms capabilities and enlarge- aerial systems from the Turkish
ment of flight range in sync with Aerospace Industries (TAI).
“The Finance Ministry the requirements of the overseas
approved this tender on potential clients, based on the The Mindef also plans to buy 12
Jan 19, 2024. However, FA-50 trainer jet,” the company new units of helicopter, and 136
said.
price negotiations need units of high mobility armoured
vehicles.
to be carried out before The aircraft will likely replace the

finalisation,” RMAF’s MiG-29 and F-5E light Defence Minister Nordin said the
the minister added. combat aircraft. procurement was carried out to

Malaysia Turns to Korea The KAI deal was part of the over continue the modernisation of
40 defense deals worth US$2.2 military equipment and assets to
Malaysia and South Korea com- billion signed by the Malaysian ensure that MAF is ready to face all
pleted a US$910 million deal in government during the Langkawi threats..

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