Malaysia signs $2.3bn in defence deals at biennial fair

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's defence ministry on Thursday said it had signed agreements worth 10.1 billion ringgit (US$2.28 billion) at this year's biennial Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition, including several new asset procurements.

They include the purchase of 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and four units of Sikorsky's Black Hawk helicopters to be leased from Malaysian firm Aerotree Defence and Services, the ministry said in a statement.

KAI, South Korea's sole warplane manufacturer, won a bid to supply the jets to Malaysia for about $920 million, media had reported in February.

The acquisitions come as Malaysia looks to upgrade or replace several aging military assets. The government allocated 17.7 billion ringgit ($3.99 billion) for the defence ministry under this year's budget, a 10% increase from its funding in 2022.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force will also be acquiring three unmanned aerial systems from Turkish Aerospace Industries, and two maritime patrol aircraft from Italian firm Leonardo SpA, the defence ministry said.

"Plans are in place to procure more defence assets under the next Malaysian Rolling Plan," the ministry said, referring to the country's five-year economic roadmap series.

• In Thailand: Royal Thai Air Force says time constraints prevent US sale of F-35 fighter jets