Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence is anticipated to conclude the acquisition of F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) within this year, as reported by the national news agency Bernama.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari indicated that the procurement process for the pre-owned fighter jets is nearing completion, with ongoing documentation involving the aircraft manufacturer, the United States, and the current operator, the Kuwait Air Force.
He stated, “Currently, the acquisition of 30 aircraft is in the final stages of negotiation following KAF’s approval, as both parties have reached a preliminary agreement on our intention to expedite the acquisition.”
The Deputy Minister also noted that Malaysia is facing time constraints, and one viable solution is to procure used assets after thorough evaluation by the RMAF. “According to their assessment, there is a clear necessity for these aircraft, which still retain significant capabilities. In the long term, they can play a crucial role in enhancing the nation’s defense and sovereignty,” he remarked.
In October of the previous year, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin visited Kuwait to examine the F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets closely. He, along with the Malaysian delegation, toured Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, which houses Squadron 9, responsible for operating the Kuwait Air Force’s F/A-18C/D Legacy Hornet fleet. RMAF Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan accompanied Mohamed Khaled during this visit.
The Malaysian Defence Minister received a briefing from Kuwait Air Force pilots regarding the status, capabilities, and operational readiness of Kuwait’s F/A-18C/D fighters. He also had the chance to evaluate the condition of several of these strategic assets firsthand.
In June of the previous year, a technical team from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) traveled to Kuwait to engage in discussions concerning the procurement of fighter jets.
The RMAF Chief indicated that Kuwait’s F/A-18D Hornets are well-maintained and have fewer operational hours than Malaysia’s existing Hornet fleet.
Mohamed Khaled mentioned that the Kuwaiti government had previously expressed favorable views on Malaysia’s interest in acquiring the KAF’s F/A-18C/D Legacy Hornets. The Defence Minister stated that both Malaysia and Kuwait have agreed to form a joint committee to commence discussions and negotiations regarding the acquisition of the Kuwaiti fighter jets. “Malaysia and Kuwait have agreed to set up a joint committee to begin talks and negotiations for the procurement of the Legacy Hornet fighter jets,” he remarked.
Malaysia intends to acquire the Kuwait Air Force’s F/A-18C/D Hornets as a temporary solution until the RMAF is equipped with new Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).
Kuwait has opted to retire its F/A-18C/D fleet following the acquisition of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons. To replace the Legacy Hornets, Kuwait has ordered 28 Super Hornets, which include 22 single-seat F/A-18E and six two-seat F/A-18F aircraft, set to operate from Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base. Additionally, Kuwait has procured 28 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from BAE Systems, with an estimated cost of US$8.7 billion (RM38.73 billion).
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