In 2021, the Malaysian Ministry of Defense issued a request for proposals to acquire 18 Light Combat Aircraft or Fighter Lead-In-Trainer aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Six international companies submitted proposals to provide the LCAs to the RMAF. The contract was being competed for by China's JF-17, South Korea's FA-50, Italy's M-346, India's Tejas, Turkey's Hürjet, Russia's MiG-35, and the Yak-130 fighters.
According to sources acquainted with the situation, KOREA Aerospace Industries (KAI) has emerged as the frontrunner for a multibillion-ringgit contract to supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) with 18 light combat aircraft.
However, the award is said to have triggered an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), following a complaint by one of the unsuccessful bidders
