SHAH ALAM: The government, it appears, has yet to decide which local company will partner Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) in providing the MRO services for RMAF upcoming FA-50M FLIT/LCA fleet. This looked likely to me when Defence Minister DS Khaled Nordin visited the KAI plant in South Korea last week and posted about it on social media.
Intrigued by it, I contacted industry sources to ask about whether this was true. They confirmed the race to become the local MRO partner with KAI was on-going. One may think that KAI – as the OEM – will have a big say on this, it has but the Malaysian government will also have a huge say on this.
Furthermore, as Khaled also signed an MOU with the South Korean government for a government-to-government deal for defence products and services between the two countries, meant that the MRO deal – which has not been confirmed publicly – will also come under it. Of course, the next government might think otherwise.
Khaled did not say anything about the MRO facility even though it is the biggest component for the industrial collaboration programme, triggered by the procurement contract with KAI for 18 FA-50Ms for around RM4 billion. And KAI is obligated to match the same amount for the ICP.
Of course, he also did not say much about the simulator deal between KAI and Ikramatic Sdn Bhd but since he witnessed the signing of the agreement, I am guessing that the deal is good to go. Again, I must point out that Khaled’s predecessor had spoken about setting up of a regional MRO facility for the FA-50 as there were three other users of the jets in the region. By making this statement, it looked like as if the local MRO company has already been selected.
It is also important to note that since the first batch of aircraft will only be arriving in 2026, any MRO work will only be done from 2030, at the earliest. So, there is a reason to kick the can on the MRO deal as long as possible or until they find the right local company to do it. The simulator deal needs to be signed now as the first batch of aircraft is due in 2026.
For example, the government has yet to tender out the MRO deal for the MD530G light scout attack helicopters even though it has been in service since 2022. The only maintenance contract to be tendered out for now is the maintenance and support of the armament system.
Furthermore, with RMAF preference of doing the full spectrum of support for its aircraft nowadays (unless over-ruled by defence and finance ministries), it is unlikely an MRO facility is needed before 2030. It must also be noted that RMAF is doing the upgrade of its Pilatus PC-7 Mk II fleet on its own with support of the OEM, Pilatus Aircraft Limited of Switzerland. Two aircraft has undergone the work which RMAF called PC-7 Mk II Structural Reworks (TSSR). Work on one aircraft was done in Switzerland while the second one was done at the Kolej Tentera Udara in Alor Setar.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (21)
UMNO minister do love the words self reliance and TOT don't they?
Its likely a "it depends" scenario. If this Govt is not stable enough it will need every RM to bolster its standings with the rakyat. So defence contracts which arent necessary will be deferred for more social programs. If this Govt thinks its stable tho, it will worm a deal for its "preferred" contractor.
Are the local assembly still happening? Or KAI will build all the FA50?
AFAIK there is no local assembly otherwise they would have announced it already. IMO it does not make sense to local assemble 18 aircraft.
Bad news on poland FA-50.
They already grounded their initial FA-50 for months and cinsidered on cancelling it due to integration issue.
MY bought the sane variant as poland the FA50 block 20. Something to be watched carefully.
Koreans is not as good as we think. ID also has problem with their chang bogo (korean's uograde variant of TKMS 209/1300), even though their already built several subs for their navy.
Those are ex RoKAF FA-50 (designated gap filler)
Also there's talk about both France and Germany pressuring Poland to spend more money on euro bloc military equipment
>integration issue
integration issue with what? What exactly do they want to carry on their FA-50 that they cannot do so on F-16?
Also there’s talk about both France and Germany pressuring Poland to spend more money on euro bloc military equipment (Alex)
The 2 giants (France and Germany) aren't going to make it easy for Poland to buy outside EU.
Take Turkey for example, they look a lucrative order to due Greek intransigence and insistence of buying EU products so Turkey lost out.
The South Koreans aren't dumb and knows the Europeans aren't pleased. So what are Bros French and Germanic hoping out of this game?
That Poles buy ex- German Alpha jets instead? Or perhaps buy more Italian M346s that they hated?
@Romeo
I think the problem is getting American approval to intergrade missiles and radar on FA50. Thats why the Korean starting to developed their on missiles
The current FA50 in Poland inventories are the same block 10 which is used by almost all of our immediate neighbors.
@taib
they probably wanted the poles to resurrect-funding Mako trainer programme lmao