Malaysia Considers Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighters Amid Potential Delays in Kuwaiti Hornet Acquisition

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence is re-evaluating its air combat modernization strategy, considering the acquisition of fifth-generation fighter jets from France, the United States, and Russia should the delivery of used F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait encounter significant delays.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that the government’s objective is to completely renew the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) fighter fleet by 2040, with a generational leap into stealth platforms at the core of that transformation.

“The 5G jets, be it from France, the United States or Russia can be considered, although it will take a long evaluation period. We aim to replace our current jets by 2040,” he said when winding up debates on the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Malaysia’s fallback plan to acquire 38 used F/A-18C/D Hornets from Kuwait is dependent on the Middle Eastern nation receiving its ordered F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, a process that may drag on further given Washington’s shifting priorities.

Khaled emphasized that the Kuwaiti Hornet purchase remains a stopgap measure designed to bridge operational requirements until Malaysia secures a long-term stealth solution by the next two decades.

He added that Washington has given its green light to the transaction, with ongoing discussions between Kuala Lumpur and Kuwait paving the way for technical evaluation by RMAF teams later this year.

RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris has already indicated that his service will carry out a detailed assessment of the Kuwaiti Hornets’ airframe, avionics and fatigue life before finalizing any deal.

Yet for Malaysia, the Hornets are merely a temporary patch, with the strategic reality pointing towards a future anchored by stealth fighters and advanced multi-role combat aircraft capable of operating in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific battlespace.

Malaysia has several fifth-generation fighter aircraft options under review should it proceed with such acquisitions by 2040 as outlined in its defence modernization roadmap.

The ultimate choice, however, will hinge on the depth of the nation’s pockets and the political willingness to allocate billions toward defence—a decision often viewed as unpopular among voters but increasingly unavoidable as regional tensions escalate.

Fifth-Generation Fighters Malaysia Could Consider

1) Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (United States)

The F-35 Lightning II represents the world’s most mature fifth-generation fighter, fielded by over a dozen nations and designed around stealth, sensor fusion and networked warfare.

Its low-observable airframe incorporates radar-absorbent coatings, internal bays and advanced edge shaping, while its three variants (F-35A, B, and C) cover conventional, vertical and carrier operations.

The aircraft integrates one of the most sophisticated sensor suites ever produced, combining the APG-81 AESA radar, Electro-Optical Targeting System, Distributed Aperture System, and advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Upcoming Block 4 upgrades will introduce the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, new radar systems, enhanced electronic attack features, and expanded weapons integration.

For Malaysia, the F-35 would offer unrivalled interoperability with U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, yet its high sustainment costs and the requirement for political approval from Washington make its acquisition a major challenge.

2) Sukhoi Su-57E “Felon” (Russia)

The Su-57 is Russia’s premier stealth fighter, emphasizing extreme maneuverability through thrust-vectoring and a large lifting body design rather than absolute stealth optimization.

Its Byelka radar complex employs multiple AESA arrays, supported by a distributed electro-optical suite intended to counter Western sensor dominance.

Current production aircraft are powered by the AL-41F1 engine, though the future “Izdeliye 30” engine is expected to deliver higher thrust and supercruise capability.

Despite its technological promise, the Su-57 remains in limited production, with fewer than two dozen believed to be in frontline Russian service.

For Malaysia, the Su-57E export model would bring cutting-edge kinematics and long-range missile compatibility, but it would risk U.S. sanctions under CAATSA and create severe interoperability challenges with existing RMAF Western platforms.

3) Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” (China)

The J-20 is Asia’s first fully operational stealth fighter and serves as the spearhead of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s modernization drive.

It is designed for deep penetration missions, long-range interception, and control of the aerial battlespace through advanced missiles such as the PL-15 and PL-21.

Recent developments confirm the introduction of the WS-15 turbofan engine, which provides supercruise capability and enhanced thrust-to-weight ratios.

A two-seat J-20S variant is also emerging, likely tailored for electronic warfare, long-range strike command and integration with unmanned systems.

For Malaysia, the J-20 offers exceptional reach and payload, yet its procurement would tilt Kuala Lumpur’s alignment heavily toward Beijing, carrying significant diplomatic and strategic repercussions.

4) Shenyang J-35A / FC-31 (China)

The J-35 is a medium-weight stealth fighter tailored for the export market and already being trialed for carrier operations aboard China’s Fujian-class carriers.

Its configuration includes internal bays capable of housing PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles, alongside AESA radar and an infrared search and track system.

Compared to the J-20, the J-35A is less expensive and smaller in footprint, making it a more practical solution for air forces seeking stealth at lower cost.

For Malaysia, the J-35 offers a more realistic Chinese option than the J-20, potentially suited to replacing its retired MiG-29 fleet without breaking the budget.

5) Türkiye KAAN (Turkish Aerospace Industries)

The KAAN achieved its maiden flight in early 2024, positioning Türkiye among the limited group of nations with a fifth-generation program.

It features a twin-engine layout, low-observable shaping, large internal bays, and an open-architecture avionics design intended for rapid upgrades.

Early prototypes are powered by GE F110 engines, though Ankara is pursuing a domestic engine program to reduce foreign dependence and secure true sovereignty.

The KAAN will integrate a GaN-based AESA radar, distributed sensor suites, advanced electronic warfare systems, and Turkish-developed missiles such as the Gökdoğan and Bozdoğan.

For Malaysia, the KAAN is politically attractive given strong Malaysia–Türkiye defence ties and Ankara’s willingness to offer industrial collaboration, but its developmental immaturity means operational maturity will only come by the 2030s.

Special Mention: KAI KF-21 “Boramae” (South Korea)

The KF-21 is South Korea’s answer to next-generation air combat, initially fielded as a 4.5-generation fighter in its Block I and II variants with external weapons carriage.

However, Seoul’s Block III roadmap envisions full internal weapons bays, enhanced radar-absorbent coatings, and advanced avionics upgrades, effectively transitioning it into a true fifth-generation platform by the mid-2030s.

The aircraft already integrates a domestically developed AESA radar, infrared search and track, and compatibility with advanced weapons such as the Meteor and indigenous precision munitions.

With Indonesia as a development partner and Poland showing interest, the KF-21 is rapidly emerging as a cost-effective export platform, positioned well below the F-35 in price.

For Malaysia, the KF-21 offers a pragmatic “middle path”—procurement of an advanced yet affordable 4.5-generation fighter now, with a seamless upgrade path into fifth-generation capability in the next decade.

Sixth-Generation Options Beyond 2035

Future Combat Air System (France, Germany, Spain)

Targeted for entry into service around 2040, FCAS combines a sixth-generation stealth fighter with loyal wingman drones, hypersonic weapons, and a combat cloud architecture.

For Malaysia, FCAS represents only a distant long-term possibility, but participation in supporting technologies could offer valuable industrial opportunities.

The program is expected to feature advanced manned–unmanned teaming concepts, allowing the Next Generation Fighter to coordinate with swarms of remote carriers in highly contested airspaces.

It also aims to pioneer cognitive artificial intelligence in combat systems, enabling real-time adaptation to electronic warfare and cyber threats.

If Malaysia aligns early with European partners through limited technology transfer or component production, it could secure a foothold in one of the most strategically significant aerospace initiatives of the 21st century.

Tempest / Global Combat Air Programme (United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Sweden)

Scheduled for the mid-2030s, Tempest will integrate artificial intelligence assistance, next-generation electronic warfare, and seamless manned–unmanned teaming.

Malaysia’s historic ties to the UK might open the door to limited industrial cooperation, but the program’s exclusivity and cost make operational acquisition unlikely in the near term.

The fighter is also expected to incorporate directed-energy weapons and cognitive sensors, providing unprecedented defensive and offensive options in future air battles.

Japan’s participation further elevates GCAP’s Indo-Pacific relevance, signaling Tokyo’s determination to counterbalance China’s J-20 expansion and looming sixth-generation projects.

For Malaysia, even limited engagement in sub-system development or training exchanges could serve as a strategic bridge into the next era of air combat innovation.

Strategic Outlook

Malaysia stands at a pivotal crossroads in determining the trajectory of its air combat capabilities for the next two decades.

The Indo-Pacific battlespace is undergoing rapid transformation, marked by the aggressive deployment of stealth fighters, unmanned loyal wingmen, and advanced networked systems.

China is expanding its Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” fleet at scale, with projections suggesting several hundred units in service by the early 2030s.

This expansion creates a formidable stealth umbrella across the South China Sea and the Western Pacific, significantly complicating Malaysia’s ability to defend its own airspace.

South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae program is equally transformative, designed to evolve from a 4.5-generation fighter into a true fifth-generation stealth platform by the mid-2030s.

Equipped with indigenous AESA radar, Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles, and advanced avionics, the KF-21 provides Seoul with both military autonomy and industrial independence.

The United States continues to consolidate dominance by deploying hundreds of F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Japan, South Korea, Guam, and potentially Southeast Asia.

This networked force not only strengthens Washington’s deterrent posture but also pressures regional partners, including Malaysia, to consider joining the F-35 ecosystem for interoperability.

Japan’s participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), also known as Tempest, underscores Tokyo’s intent to maintain parity with both Washington and Beijing in the sixth-generation era.

Although GCAP will only enter service around 2035, it signals a long-term strategic alignment among major Indo-Pacific and European powers.

For Malaysia, the risk of remaining outside the fifth-generation ecosystem is stark: the Royal Malaysian Air Force risks strategic irrelevance.

Legacy aircraft such as the Su-30MKM and F/A-18D Hornet, though capable in their prime, will be outclassed in a battlespace dominated by stealth, long-range missiles, and dense integrated air defence networks.

Malaysia’s eventual fighter choice will therefore hinge not only on platform performance but also on geopolitical alignment, financial sustainability, and long-term survivability.

Industrial participation will also be decisive, with South Korea offering pathways for collaboration in the KF-21 program that could transfer stealth and avionics expertise to Malaysia’s defence sector.

China may present attractive financial and technology transfer packages tied to the J-20 or J-35, but such a move would risk alienating Malaysia’s Western partners and altering its strategic orientation.

The future of air warfare will be defined not by stealth alone but by the ability to integrate fighters with unmanned systems, long-range precision strike weapons, and secure combat clouds.

Malaysia’s new fighters must therefore be capable of operating alongside loyal wingman drones and surviving in contested electromagnetic environments.

The decision will ultimately be a geopolitical statement as much as a procurement choice, shaping Malaysia’s role in the Indo-Pacific security architecture.

Choosing U.S. platforms would anchor Malaysia within a Western-led defence network alongside Singapore, Japan, and Australia.

Selecting South Korea’s KF-21 would position Malaysia on a path of incremental modernization with valuable industrial dividends.

Opting for China’s stealth fighters would mark a profound strategic realignment towards Beijing’s sphere of influence.

Delaying beyond the early 2030s risks leaving Malaysia technologically outpaced and unable to safeguard its skies in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA