Kuantan:Two FA-50M aircraft have arrived at the Kuantan Airbase, marking the initial delivery of 18 aircraft to be acquired by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) from Korea Aerospace Industries.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the aircraft departed from Labuan Air Base at 1.45 pm and landed at Kuantan Airbase at 3.38 pm. The arrival was witnessed by Chief of Air Force General Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris.

The aircraft began their journey from Sacheon, South Korea, on October 29, with transit stops in Jeju, Laoag in the Philippines, and Labuan. The FA-50M aircraft M58-01 was piloted by KAI pilot Lee Donkyu along with No. 15 Squadron Commanding Officer Major Mohd Jamil Awang. Meanwhile, the M58-02 was piloted by Kim Inchul, together with No. 15 Squadron Executive Officer Major Muhammad Ashraf Wahab.

Both aircraft are set to undergo a Final Acceptance Test process by the RMAF, with official acceptance anticipated by the end of November 2026. The occasion was also attended by Deputy Chief of Air Force Lieutenant General Datuk Seri Nur Hafis Abdul Karim, Air Education and Training Commander Lieutenant General Datuk Mohd Sani Omar, and Air Support Commander Major General Datuk Ahmad Khusairi Ahmad Fadli.

It was previously reported that the aircraft are to be operated by No. 15 Squadron, which consists of more than 200 personnel, with operational deployment preparations centered at the RMAF Kuantan Air Base.