project were the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, HAL Tejas, Yakovlev Yak-130,L-15 Falcon, Boeing T-7 Red Hawk and Aero L-39NG. Malaysia intended to use this LCA to augment the existing fleet of its multi-role combat aircraft and also as a fighter lead-in trainer. At the end of 2020, LCA program was approved by the government and the procurement of the aircraft would start in 2021. In 2021, Russian defence export agency, Rosoboronexport, said Russia would send Mikoyan MiG-35 as a contender of the LCA program. India has responded with HAL Tejas manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as a contender which is a full fledged active fighter jet under mass production. It has world class avionics and refined design and sophisticated armaments including Brahmos. Turkey has also sent their TAI Hürjet as a contender of the LCA program. In February 2023, Ministry of Defence has chosen FA-50 Block 20 from South Korea for the new RMAF's LCA/FLIT. Maritime patrol aircraft Malaysia also urgently needs to boost its maritime patrol capability with a new maritime patrol aircraft. In response to this need, Malaysia has launched its Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) program. At first, Malaysia was reportedly considering an offer from Japan for the used P-3C Orion but this intention was cancelled due to high cost for refurbishment and maintenance the used aircraft. In December 2017, the Royal Malaysian Air Force's Brigadier General Yazid Bin Arshad announced that it had shortlisted four aircraft to replace the force's ageing fleet of Beechcraft Super King Air. The candidates were the EADS CASA C-295 from Airbus, the P-8 Poseidon from Boeing, ATR 72 MP from ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, and the CASA/IPTN CN-235, which could be provided by either Airbus or Indonesian Aerospace, which acquired a licence to produce it. The new MPA procurement would start in 2021 after the government gives approval for the Royal Malaysian Air Force for the acquisition of such aircraft in the budget hearing at the end of 2020. In 2021, the RMAF has confirmed that it will procure six new maritime patrol aircraft to replace its Beechcraft Super King Air. In addition, Malaysia also launched its second MPA program which was the conversion of the existing fleet of CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft to the maritime patrol role. This program started at the end of 2020 and is intended as an interim solution while