The Royal Malaysian Air Force will acquire new Fighter Lead-In Trainer/ Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT/ LCA) aircraft within the next three years, Air Force Chief General Ackbal Abdul Samad said last December.
He said under the RMAF Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55), the service planned to procure 36 aircraft (FLIT/ LCA) in phases, depending on the government’s approval. “RMAF needs the FLIT/ LCA as this dual-function single platform aircraft has a balanced capability in performing the roles as fighter pilot training and for various operational missions.
According to The Korea Times, Malaysian officials have confirmed that the JF-17 Pakistani jet is competing with its South Korean counterpart, the FA-50 Golden Eagle, for the requirement. On another hand, the Economic Times reports that a team of Malaysian Air Force is expected to visit India within the coming months to assess the suitability of the indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter jet.