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However, there are indications As an interim measure, the RMAF MRCA programme. The RMAF has
suggesting that the Lao People’s is considering acquiring up to 32 already ordered 18 FA-50M light
Liberation Army Air Force (LPLAAF) ex-Kuwaiti Air Force (KAF) F/A- fighter/trainer aircraft from KAI - to
may soon expand its capabilities. 18C Hornets to supplement the be delivered starting in 2026 - with
Local media reports from 2019 eight F/A-18D jets currently in the possibility of acquiring 18 more.
suggested that the acquisition of the service. If this plan materialises,
Yak-130 trainers is part of prepara- it will also provide spare parts to Myanmar:
tions for acquiring new main fighter extend the lifetime of the existing
jets. Potential candidates include RMAF Hornet fleet. Meanwhile, The Myanmar Air Force’s (MAF)
either the joint Chinese-Pakistani although the service has planned is heavily reliant on Russian and
project JF-17 Thunder, Chinese- to upgrade its existing fleet of 18 Chinese-manufactured combat jets.
made FTC-2000, or J-10C aircraft. Sukhoi Su-30MKM combat jets to The country’s current fleet includes
a level comparable to the Su-35, 28 Russian-made MiG-29 fighters,
Malaysia: the most advanced variant of the 18 Yak-130 trainer/light combat
type, this plan is likely put on hold jets, around 20 Chinese-made
The Royal Malaysia Air Force due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Chengdu F-7 fighters (a licensed
(RMAF) is embarking on a pro- Ukraine. copy of the MiG-21), 20 Nanchang
gramme of fleet modernisation with A-5C ground attack jets, 11 K-8
the aim of eventually replacing its This situation is further compli- trainer/light attack aircraft, and five
ageing 18 Su-30MKM and eight cated by the RMAF’s reported recently arrived FTC-2000G aircraft
F/A-18D aircraft. Other than these interest in exploring the potential (following the loss of one in combat
two, the service is also currently procurement of Russia’s Sukhoi in January 2024). Together, these
operating 12 Hawk 208 light fight- Su-57 (NATO code: Felon) for its assets pose a formidable threat to
ers and four Hawk 108 trainer/light MRCA programme. While the Su-57 the junta’s adversaries.
combat jets. is already operational with the
Russian Air Force in small num- The MAF is also in the process of
After retiring its MiG-29 (NATO bers, concerns remain regarding receiving deliveries of Chinese-
code: Fulcrum) fleet in 2017, the its availability for export due to the Pakistani joint venture JF-17
RMAF reportedly considered manufacturer’s limited production Thunder multi-role fighters (seven
European options such as the output. Additionally, the ongoing delivered out of 16 ordered) and
Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault conflict in Ukraine poses further Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 two-
Rafale, and SAAB JAS-39E Gripen, complications, potentially affecting seater combat jets (two delivered
along with the Boeing F/A-18E/F Malaysia’s reputation and delivery out of six ordered).
Super Hornet. However, recent times if the conflict persists.
changes to the programme have Philippines:
sidelined these candidates as they These factors may make South
are 4.5th generation fighters that Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries Over the past decade, the Armed
have been in service for over two (KAI) KF-21 Boramae a more Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
decades. favourable option for the RMAF’s have significantly enhanced their
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