SHAH ALAM: South Koreans Say Thunder is favourite. A South Korean newspaper has reported that the Korean Aerospace Industries FA-50 and the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder have been shortlisted for RMAF Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.
The Korea Times even quoted sources as saying that the FA-50 was behind the Thunder in the race as it “possess better mid-range weapons which is a requirement for the Malaysian Air Force.” It must be noted that the mid range weapons for the Thunder in Pakistani service are mainly China made ones though it has been reported that they are interesting in getting South African and Brazilian made ones. How is that is an advantage is beyond me.
AVIC/PAC JF-17
The FA-50, the nation’s first domestically developed light attack aircraft, is competing against the Pakistani-Chinese jointly manufactured JF-17 fighter for the Malaysian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, under which Kuala Lumpur seeks to purchase 18 jets to replace its aging MiG-29 fleet, according to sources, Sunday.
“Despite interest from a diverse group of manufacturers, the FA-50 and JF-17 are the finalists,” the source said.
The FA-50 is a variant of the T-50 supersonic trainer jet, manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
Since its first deployment in October 2013, 60 FA-50s are operated by the Korean Air Force. In addition, the FA-50 has been exported to Iraq, the Philippines and Thailand.
This is an interesting development as the South Korean newspaper and its sources -likely Koreans as well – didn’t even consider CAATSA as a hindrance for the selection of the Thunder.
The rather negative position taken by the South Koreans are interesting compared to the more positive ones taken by the Indians when in come to the LCA programme.
It is interesting to note as well that Pakistan has become an important market for a Malaysian car manufacturer. Whether or not this development bodes well for the Thunder is beyond me.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (38)
The last paragraph of this article is pertinent...I have commented here before (or elsewhere?) that perhaps the Pakistani Al Haj Automotive JV is offered in a hurry to entice Malaysia to buy Pakistani products, perhaps an aircraft contract. Politics again, is playing a huge role if the South Koreans are to be believed...
I hope I'm wrong but as I first asked a long while ago : for our planners is the fact that the F/A-50 is already operated by 3 neighbours a prohibiting factor against it being selected?
Taib - ''The last paragraph of this article is pertinent…''
Perhaps, perhaps not. If we want to go on that basis; the Indians have an edge given they are a consistent buyer of palm oil in large quantities - in the longer term more cash value than cars . The Koreans are also in a much better position compared to Pakistan and India to offer a long term soft loan; ToTs and offsets.
How the present government handles this and other programmes will be an indicator? Will the needs of the armed services take 2nd place behind national interests? Remains to be seen.
I did remember your comment then Sdr Azlan. Our air force does seem to have a history of operating assets slightly different from that operated by our neighbors. Again if this Korean news is 'true' ... then why stop at 18 JF17 LCAs? Why not add another 18 later? And add a few more Hawks (pre-owned) to the existing Hawk 108s as LIFTs. It's getting more intriguing...
South African-made AAMs & PGMs + Brazilian ARMs ?
Reply
We would be foolish to do that really
@Azlan
"is the fact that the F/A-50 is already operated by 3 neighbours a prohibiting factor against it being selected?"
If the answer is yes then we now it is a bullshit that still keep played. What is so secret or strategic issue about it? It is just LCA.
OT KF-X was officially launched 2 days ago
https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/south-korea-unveils-kf-x-prototype/
However its still a 4.5gen plane that looks like a 5th gen, with an unknown cost for further development to turn it into 5th gen.
With SK also buying into F-35 use, there is likelihood that if such cost ultimately makes their plane nearly as pricey as flyaway F-35s they would scrap that idea and rather buy the more matured F-35 (whose price is falling), keeping KFX a purely 4.5 gen fighter.
Is this the same Korean source that said we were buying 4 Korean corvettes a few years ago?
Too early to tell yet I suppose; similar to the Tejas story that was carried in Hindustan Times (do correct me if I got the name of the paper wrong) there's no official word from RMAF yet about it. These anonymous "sources" could be anybody really, could be real or just hot air invented by that journalist.
Or maybe mahathir. Haha...
South African missiles that is available right now would be A-Darter infrared homing short range AAM with dual color 180 degree seeker, mid course guidance, ECCM etc which are typically what the western missiles have. Does KAI did not integrate aim9x block 2 on F/A-50 yet? For radar guided missiles it would be Chinese PL12 and PL15.
Going for JF17 is almost similar going for Mig29 as JF17 use a derivative of Mig29 engines that have a lower life span of 2200 hours compared to GE F404's 6000 hours on Hornets and FA-50. this meant higher maintenance cost in the long run. So will RMAF (or should i say the government) buy hardware that is expensive to maintain and repeat the same "mistakes" again?