ALOR GAJAH: The purchase of 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft for RM4.08bil from South Korea takes into account various factors, including the country's needs involving strategy and policy aspects as well as the Defence White Paper.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said that the aspect of expertise in operating the aircraft as well as the country's current economy were also considered to ensure that the asset could be fully utilised by the national defence industry.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.
"So, when we have made a decision through a transparent procurement process, what matters most now is we can deliver it to the end user within the set period," he told reporters after officiating the Alor Gajah Parliamentary service centre, here on Sunday (Feb 26).
According to Adly, based on the ministry's assessment, the FA-50 light attack aircraft produced by Korea Aerospace Industries Co (KAI) was the best.
KAI, which is South Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer on Friday (Feb 24) said it had secured a US$920mil (RM4.08bil) contract to sell 18 fighter jets to Malaysia, with the delivery set to begin in 2026.
KAI signed the deal with the Malaysian Defence Ministry to export 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft, beating India's Tejas, Pakistan's JF-17, Russia's MIG-35 and Turkey's Hurizet, Yonhap news agency reported the company said in a statement.
In another development, Adly said the Defence Ministry would ensure that the welfare of the family of Malaysian Armed Forces commando Lance Corporal Edrin Baintim is taken care of.
On Feb 7, Edrin, 25, a member of the army's special forces unit, was reported missing while undergoing diving training 0.7 nautical miles south-west of Pulau Undan.
His body was found in a mangrove swamp in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor on Feb 19.
Meanwhile, Adly said the ministry's main priority through the allocation channelled by the government under Budget 2023 announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday would be to improve its assets.
He said several new assets would be purchased with the allocation, including littoral combat ships (LCS) and littoral mission ships (LMS).
"The Budget 2023 allocation this time increased by 1.7% to RM17.7bil compared to RM17.4bil in the previous Budget 2023 (tabled before GE15)," he said.
According to Adly, the allocation of over RM500mil for the renovation and maintenance of residential quarters for military personnel was also a timely morale boost for them.
Apart from that, he said the project to increase domestic maize production by military veterans in collaboration with the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) would give veterans the opportunity to contribute to the country in addition to making them productive even after retirement.
"Their welfare will also be guaranteed because there will be job opportunities and good income, in addition to providing exposure to the use of new technology as well as helping improve the country's food security," he added. – Bernama
