The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is looking to purchase new Fighter Lead‐In Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT/LCA) within the next three years, according to Air Force Chief General Ackbal Abdul Samad. Samad said that under the RMAF Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55), the service plans to procure 36 FLIT/LCA aircraft in two steps. The new LCA will provide support to the current Boeing F/A-18D Hornet and Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter aircraft.
In January 2021, as reported by Matteo Sanzani in BlogBeforeFlight, Air Force Chief General Ackbal Abdul Samad said: “The RMAF has asked the government for a budget for the acquisition of 18 aircraft in phase 1 through the submission of the new projects 2021 and another 18 aircraft in phase 2, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13)”. The RMAF currently operates two variants of the BAE Systems Hawk in the FLIT/LCA roles, as well as some Aermacchi MB339 trainers. Half of the fleet is nearing the end of its operational life and needs to be replaced within 10 years at the latest.