Defence Minister to Visit Kuwait This November?
Sources indicate that there is a strong possibility Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will travel to Kuwait this November to negotiate the acquisition of F/A-18C/D fighter jets from the Middle Eastern nation.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Sources informed Defence Security Asia that the Ministry of Defence’s efforts to acquire F/A-18C/D fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force are progressing smoothly.
There is also a strong speculations that Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will travel to Kuwait this November to negotiate the acquisition of the Middle Eastern nation’s F/A-18C/D fighter jets.
“At present, negotiations regarding the acquisition of the Kuwait Air Force’s Hornet fighter jets are proceeding positively,” the source, who requested anonymity, told Defence Security Asia.
“Something significant might be finalized in November.”
Recently, the Defence Minister received a courtesy visit from Kuwait’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Rashed Mohammed Rashed ALSALEH.
Among the topics discussed during the meeting was the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) intention to acquire the F/A-18 Hornet jets from the Kuwait Air Force.
RMAF chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, was also present during the discussions.
In a statement on his official Facebook account, the Defence Minister expressed Malaysia’s satisfaction with the positive progress in bilateral and defence relations between Malaysia and Kuwait.
He added that defence cooperation between the two nations will be further strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed in the near future.
“Among the matters discussed was the nation’s intention to acquire the F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force (KAF), following the KAF’s acquisition of its new Super Hornets,” the minister said.
“The meeting also touched on Military-to-Military Cooperation, defence industry collaboration, and the conflict in Gaza.”
Speaking to reporters during the recent Firepower Exercise 2024 at the Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas, the Defence Minister said that while the F/A-18C/D jets from the Kuwait Air Force are older, they remain technically viable for use by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
“Technically speaking, the jets (F/A-18C/D from Kuwait) are very suitable for the Malaysian Armed Forces, but the decision will take time as it is not an easy process.
“We are still waiting (for the final decision) and are in close contact with Kuwait,” he said.
In June, a technical team from the RMAF visited Kuwait to hold discussions regarding the acquisition of the fighter jets.
The RMAF Chief was reported to have said that Kuwait’s F/A-18D Hornet jets are in good condition and have lower flight hours compared to the RMAF’s current fleet of Hornets.
The Kuwait Air Force operates 39 F/A-18C/D Hornet jets, consisting of both single-seat and dual-seat variants.
Malaysia plans to acquire these F/A-18C/D Hornet jets from Kuwait as a “stop-gap measure” until the RMAF is equipped with new Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).
The Kuwait Air Force decided to retire its F/A-18C/D jets after receiving F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters and Eurofighter Typhoons.
Kuwait has acquired 28 Super Hornets, comprising 22 single-seat F/A-18E and six dual-seat F/A-18F Super Hornets, which will operate from Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base.
In addition to the Super Hornets, Kuwait also purchased 28 Eurofighter Typhoon jets developed by BAE Systems, valued at approximately USD 8.7 billion (RM 38.73 billion). — DSA
