Malaysia to acquire new fighters

The Malaysian government issued an international tender on 22 June 2021, for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Light Combat Aircraft/Fighter Lead-In-Trainer (LCA/FLIT) programme. The Ministry of Defence intends to acquire 18 FLIT/LCA aircraft and the tender will close on 22 September 2021. The light fighters will replace several aging aircraft, such as the BAe Hawk Mk 108 and Mk 208, and support the Boeing F/A-18D Hornet and Sukhoi Su-30MKM in service with the RMAF. As for the trainers, they will replace the Aermacchi MB-339CM trainer jets that are currently grounded.