In the process of selecting its future multi-role combat aircraft, the Royal Malaysian Air Force might be making a risky bet with a potential acquisition of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet. The Force is still evaluating options for its MRCA program, including Sukhoi’s stealth twin-engine and the Korean KAI KF-21 Boramae.
Various analysts agree that the Sukhoi Su-57 is a risky bet for the Royal Malaysian Air Force, as the Russian fifth-generation fighter is still far from being considered a mature weapons system. Russia has not only failed to achieve large-scale serial production, but the stealth twin-engine has also failed to attract the interest of other air forces.
Currently, only the Russian Aerospace Forces operate a small fleet of Su-57s, totaling just about twenty units. It is worth noting that the first prototype, the T-50, flew for the first time in January 2010. Almost a decade later, the first production units of the fifth-generation fighter would enter operational service. Since then, Sukhoi’s stealth twin-engine fighters have participated in combat actions in Ukraine, suffering some losses on the ground.
Another negative aspect of the Su-57 is the sanctions imposed on Russia and its entire industrial complex, which could cause problems for Malaysia with Western countries. There are also fears that, in the event of a potential purchase, the sanctions, along with the problems plaguing the Russian aerospace industry, could result in a costly venture.
It is worth remembering that the Russian aerospace industrial complex has suffered significant bottlenecks in ensuring the delivery of aircraft, components, and spare parts, a situation that has directly impacted user availability. The Royal Malaysian Air Force was not and is not immune to this problem, as it experienced it firsthand with its MiG-29Ns.
More recently, Malaysia has also expressed dissatisfaction with the low availability of its Su-30MKM fighters, a fleet that faces serious operational difficulties due to restrictions on Russian material. In February of this year, the situation of the Malaysian Air Force was critical, to the point that “…at some point in the future, there may be almost no Su-30MKMs flying…” detailed Defense News, citing a Malaysian pilot of the Russian-origin fighter.
These experiences with material from Russia, coupled with a global context that is not favorable for Moscow, should tip the balance towards other candidates, such as the 4.5 generation KF-21 Boramae fighter, a model for which serial production has already begun.
Regarding the Boramae, Korea Aerospace Industries and the South Korean government have formalized an agreement for the purchase of 20 KF-21 units, with deliveries expected to extend until 2027. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration expects to award a second contract for a batch of 20 aircraft in 2025. In total, the Republic of Korea Air Force has a requirement for 120 KF-21s, 40 of which will be delivered between 2026 and 2028, and the remaining 80 by 2032.
The Korean option has some advantage, as the Royal Malaysian Air Force acquired 18 FA-50M Block 20 light fighters, a batch that could be expanded by a similar number in the medium term. Cooperation between Malaysia and South Korea could determine the direction of the MRCA program.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: Rosoboronexport
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