Deals to watch, Q4 2026: Malaysia FA-50M arrivals, Iraq and Romania K2 decisions, Saudi packages, Thai frigate, and K-DEX
KDReview's watchlist for the fourth quarter of 2026. Malaysia's first two FA-50M jets are due at Kuantan Air Base in October, with the 18-aircraft order completing by March 2028. Iraq's review of up to 250 K2 tanks (about $6.5 billion) remained unsigned as of July, with analysts expecting a 2026 signature. Romania's 216-tank tender awaits a localization study. Peru's K2 and K808 implementing contract is suspended over a $1.5 billion advance payment. Indonesia's 16 KF-21s and the Philippines' two submarines are unsigned. In Saudi Arabia, Hanwha Defense Arabia is targeting a roughly KRW 15 trillion National Guard land-forces modernization with K9 and Chunmoo, while Hanwha Ocean weighs four to six submarines and five frigates. Thailand's OCEAN-40F frigate award to Hanwha Ocean faces rival complaints before a final contract. On the calendar: Armed Forces Day on October 1 at Gyeryongdae with AI-enabled weapons on display and no parade, and the first K-DEX on December 8 to 11 at KINTEX, where eleven countries including the US, Saudi Arabia, India, Norway, Finland, and Latvia will brief on procurement.
Related Contracts
Croatia K239 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher Contract
Croatia · signed
Thailand Next-Generation Frigate (OCEAN-40F) Selection
Thailand · announced
Estonia Follow-On K239 Chunmoo MLRS Order (3 Additional Launchers)
Estonia · signed
Malaysia K-SAAM Haegung Ship-Launched SAM
Malaysia · signed
Indonesia KF-21 Boramae Export Negotiations
Indonesia · announced
Related News
India's Defence Acquisition Council clears more than 300 additional K9 Vajra-T howitzers, opening a ~$2 billion Hanwha follow-on
October 27, 2026
Malaysia to take delivery of its first two FA-50M Block 20 jets on October 30; six due by year-end and talks on a second batch of 18 expected
October 27, 2026
Hyundai Rotem to acquire Hyundai Wia's defense unit for ₩358.4 billion, bringing K2 main gun and K9 barrels in-house
October 19, 2026
KAI makes Marrakech Air Show debut, pitches FA-50 and T-50 for Morocco's trainer program with local MRO partners
October 8, 2026