South Korean company KAI wants to expand its offer of FA-50 light combat aircraft for Malaysia. To do this, they are talking about the potential integration of beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles.
It is noted that such an enhancement could be included in a second batch of 18 aircraft, for which negotiations with Malaysia are currently underway. The country ordered the first batch of 18 FA-50 Block 20 aircraft in 2023 for $920 million. Deliveries under this contract are planned to begin in 2026. Around that time, talk also began about another deal to follow.
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Updated: The source of information was Janes, which spoke with company representatives during the 2026 Singapore Airshow. Initially, the American AIM-120 missile was mentioned, but it was later removed.
Defense Express received clarification from Korea Aerospace Industries that the information regarding AIM-120 is inaccurate and concerns sensitive export license issues that are still not confirmed. Accordingly, corresponding edits have been made to this publication.
It should be noted that an interesting situation emerges here. Poland also contracted the same modification to South Korean aircraft and was supposed to have AIM-120 integrated, but the U.S. did not grant permission for the project.
FA-50 Block 20 features a modern PhantomStrike AESA radar, which takes combat capabilities to a new level. Indeed, despite KAI's initial promises, the delayed readiness of these radars led to the postponement of delivery deadlines for Poland.Of course, Malaysia is in a somewhat better position than Poland, having placed the order later, but this story may raise doubts about a second batch of South Korean aircraft.
After all, the practical implementation of new weapons integration could take several years, although this may be stipulated in the contract.
It should be noted that without medium-range air combat missiles, the main weapons of the FA-50 Block 20 are short-range AIM-9 air-to-air missiles and various means for ground strikes. The capabilities for the latter have already been applied in combat by the Philippines, which is purchasing an additional 12 aircraft.
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