SHAH ALAM: Defence Minister DSU Mohamad Hasan today confirmed in Parliament that RMAF will be getting the latest version of the Korean Aerospace Industries FA-50 – the Block 20 – for its FLIT/LCA requirements. He said the Block 20 is the latest variant of the supersonic fighter jet, capable of firing air to air and air to ground missiles.
He said the aircraft was purchased following evaluation by the RMAF which was endorsed by “multiple sessions” by the Defence Ministry tender board.
Mohamad said the FA-50 was already operational in neighbouring countries from Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. “The aircraft had a good service record, and it uses the Lockheed Martin engines” he added. Mohamad may have misspoken here, as the TA-50/FA-50 comes with the General Electric F404 engine. Editor.
“Their aircraft are not the same as ours, theirs are Block 16, Block 18 and the latest one is Block 19. RMAF believes that it could maintain the aircraft and that was the justification buy the air force and endorsed by multiple sessions of the tender board.
“We are buying 18 aircraft for the first batch, enough for one squadron and ours is latest version – Block 20 – which better than the previous version as it had newer capabilities.
“The aircraft capability is as good as a Multi Role Combat Aircraft, a bigger and more expensive fighter jet.”
Mohamad further said as the FA-50 was capable fighter jet, it will be used for the time being as we evaluate the need for MRCA. Of course, RMAF needed a new MRCA to replace the Hornets and Flankers, Editor
It must be noted that this was the first time, the Defence Minister had spoken about the contract for the FA-50 since the new on it broke about two weeks ago.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (105)
>“The aircraft capability is as good as a Multi Role Combat Aircraft, a bigger and more expensive fighter jet.”
The hell does that mean?
From a layman perspective that a light fighter is as good as an MRCA. Which is wrong of course
"The aircraft capability is as good as a Multi Role Combat Aircraft, a bigger and more expensive fighter jet.”
"RMAF needed a new MRCA to replace the Hornets and Flankers"
Was he contradicting himself?
The second line is my comment, note it mentioned Editor
Block 20 means it will use Phantom Strike Aesa radar?
Alhamdulillah. It is safe to assume that the spec would be the same as the Polish ones with the same AESA radar which I am most exited about. Gathering the available public sources, its is possible to fit the Medium sized Raytheon PhantomStrike radar could fit onto T7 Red Hawk, it seem can fit into FA50 as well but only time will tell on which size we are getting. As for the capability of the radar.
As for the potential capabilities of the PhantomStrike radar, Raython said the Small version has same range as an F16 radar while Medium is better. Well this can mean either the worst is same performance as APG68v9 pulse doppler or the best same as APG-83 AESA for the Small size. Hence I think it is safe to assume that the Medium size have at least nearly similar performance to APG-83 AESA or better. This also meant that FA50 potentially has the same or even better radar performance compared to our Legacy Hornets and Flankers!!!! Now tell me you are not exited about that
So, we can assumed that this RMAF FA-50 Block 20 in par or better than F-16 Block 32?
Nope
Luqman - "Now tell me you are not exited about that"
Speaking for myself there's little there's little that excites me these days after observing things for so long.
What would excite me is not the avionics/electronic fit or technical features but whether we are able to operate it on a systems centric level [that makes the difference in this age] and whether we actually get a follow batch the next Malaysia Plan as scheduled.
F-16 could carry twice the payload of FA-50 that's why philippines is looking hard at F-16 despite already having FA-50
If KAI pushes through with F-50 variant (single seat version with F414 instead of F404) it could bring the capability closer to F-16 but it's still no match for F-16 raw power
To think that F-16 is supposed developed as a "light", "day", fighter mostly for homeland defence and export to small vassal states
After hearing the news that MMEA OPV got delayed, again, I hope this one will not get delayed too. But, I got the feeling that i will be proven wrong.
So does it mean we will be getting the Israeli radar? Well we have a friendlier Govt now so such is no longer a taboo.
What worries me is this statement; "The aircraft capability is as good as a Multi Role Combat Aircraft". If they start to get any funny ideas, it could spell a huge issue with the MRCA program.
@Rock
"RMAF FA-50 Block 20 in par or better than F-16 Block 32"
LM have would made sure it would not threaten their own model lineup.