Korea Sells Light Fighter Jets to Malaysia

Korea inked a deal to sell 18 homegrown FA-50 light combat aircraft worth US$920 million to Malaysia.

The deal was signed by Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, according to the Defense Ministry here.

Korea Aerospace Industries and Malaysian officials signed the letter of agreement in February and have been honing the details since.

"The latest deal will further increase cooperation in the two countries' defense industry," Lee said. "It will have a positive impact on further exports of FA-50s to Malaysia as well as ongoing negotiations with other countries."

The Malaysian Air Force is expected to buy another 18 FA-50s in 2026.