LABUAN: Sabah’s defences will be strengthened with additional coastal radar, wider air defence radar coverage and more military personnel as Malaysia prepares to replace its Hawk aircraft with FA-50M light combat jets.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the measures were necessary to protect the country’s interests against potential spill over from regional tensions.
He said additional coastal radar was planned for Sabah, while air defence radar would also be provided in Labuan and Pulau Layang-Layang.
Military personnel strength in Sabah, currently about 10,000, would be increased, supported by the construction of new camps and upgrading of existing facilities.
“Each country has the right to strengthen its own defences, and Malaysia will do the same. This is not a reaction to what is being done in the Philippines. If tensions escalate, we cannot be certain there will be no consequences for our country,” he said.
He was speaking at a press conference in conjunction with witnessing the delivery of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) first FA-50M at Labuan Air Base, Friday.
The aircraft transited here on its journey from South Korea before continuing to Kuantan Air Base, where the fleet will be operated by No. 15 Squadron.
Mohamed Khaled said strengthening security in Sabah remained a priority with aircraft deployment requirements also to be determined when the Hawks were retired.
On the FA-50M programme, he said all 18 aircraft purchased from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) were expected to be delivered by March 2028, coinciding with the planned retirement of the Hawks that year.
Six aircraft were expected to be received before April 2027. The acquisition, worth nearly RM4 billion under the 12th Malaysia Plan, would support both fighter pilot training and combat operations.
“These aircraft are important because the Hawks we currently operate are scheduled to be decommissioned in 2028,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled said two FA-50Ms had initially been scheduled for the first delivery, but a technical problem had delayed one aircraft. Both had departed South Korea the previous day and transited in the Philippines.
The second aircraft could be delivered as early as the following day, subject to arrangements by KAI.
However, he stressed that the delivery witnessed in Labuan was distinct from the RMAF’s formal acceptance of the aircraft.
Testing and checks would first be conducted, with formal acceptance expected before the middle of November.
“Today is the delivery. The formal handover, once everything is satisfactory, is expected before the middle of next month,” he said.
Preparations to operate the fleet were already under way, covering pilots, engineering teams and operational personnel.
Mohamed Khaled said 127 personnel were in place against an overall requirement of 209, with staffing to increase progressively as more aircraft were delivered.
The programme would also develop the RMAF’s expertise in combat aviation technology and prepare pilots for more advanced fighter aircraft.
Asked about further purchases, he said Malaysia needed additional aircraft in this category, although the type and supplier had yet to be determined.
Any subsequent acquisition would take into account operational assessments and recommendations from the RMAF.
During the visit, Mohamed Khaled received a briefing from No. 15 Squadron commanding officer Major Mohd Jamil Awang before inspecting the aircraft and meeting the pilots involved in its delivery.
Also present were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Air Force chief General Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris and senior military and civilian officers.
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