Malaysia May Abandon Kuwait F/A-18 Hornet Deal, Eyes Alternative Fighter Jets Amid Delays

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Malaysia is considering alternative options to meet its air defence requirements following delays in the transfer of F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter aircraft from Kuwait.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the uncertainty has arisen due to Kuwait’s delayed receipt of its new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from the United States.

“We cannot wait indefinitely without clarity, because Kuwait can only transfer their F/A-18s once they receive their new aircraft,” he stressed.

He underlined that Malaysia is now evaluating other available options in order to avoid being left in a disadvantageous position, including examining combat aircraft already available on the market.

“We must ensure that alternative solutions exist so that we are not caught in an unfavourable situation,” Khaled added.

The Minister also pointed out that the acquisition of 18 FA-50M (Block 20) light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries, scheduled for delivery in 2027, would sustain Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) operational needs in the interim.

“We will also continue to assess the operational viability of the existing Sukhoi Su-30MKM fleet to determine if it can adequately meet national air defence requirements,” he said.

This review comes at a critical juncture, as all RMAF Hawk 108 and Hawk 208 light combat aircraft are slated for phased retirement beginning in 2027.

RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris previously confirmed that the service would conduct a comprehensive technical evaluation of Kuwait’s Hornets, examining airframe integrity, avionics, and structural fatigue levels before any final decision is made.

An RMAF evaluation team is expected to conduct technical assessments on all 38 F/A-18 Hornets currently operated by the Kuwait Air Force this month.

Norazlan emphasised that the inspection would be critical in determining the maintenance viability and overall suitability of the airframes.

He revealed that the RMAF had already secured approval from the United States, as the original manufacturer, to conduct the technical evaluation.

Under the provisions of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, the transfer of any American-made military hardware—including assets previously owned by third countries—requires formal approval from the U.S. Congress.

“Following the U.S. government’s approval for the evaluation, the RMAF now has access to all documentation and records related to the aircraft, and our team is prepared to conduct the assessments in Kuwait,” Norazlan said.

“They are expected to depart for Kuwait this September, with the evaluation process expected to last around three weeks, covering full reviews of the aircraft records and documentation,” he added.

Initial assessments by the RMAF Technical Team indicate that Kuwait’s Hornets have relatively low flight hours, averaging between 1,500 and 3,000 hours per aircraft.

In contrast, Malaysia’s own F/A-18D Hornets have already accumulated between 4,000 and 6,000 flight hours per aircraft.

According to Khaled, the typical service life of F/A-18C/D Hornets is estimated at between 6,000 and 8,000 flight hours—or approximately 30 years of operations—depending on maintenance regimes, usage profiles, and capability upgrade programmes.

“The RMAF Technical Team visited Kuwait in June 2024, and their assessment confirmed that Kuwait’s Hornets have logged significantly fewer flight hours compared to our existing F/A-18D fleet,” Khaled said.

The Minister also recently disclosed that Malaysia is reassessing its broader airpower modernisation strategy, including the potential acquisition of fifth-generation stealth fighters from France, the United States, and Russia should the Kuwait Hornet transfer face further setbacks.

He confirmed that the government’s long-term goal is to fully recapitalise the RMAF fighter fleet by 2040, anchored by a generational leap into stealth-capable platforms.

“Fifth-generation fighters, whether from France, the United States, or Russia, are under consideration, although this will require an extended evaluation period,” Khaled told Parliament.

“Our intention is to replace the current fleet by 2040,” he added during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Malaysia’s fallback plan to acquire 38 F/A-18C/D Hornets from Kuwait hinges entirely on the Gulf state’s acceptance of its new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, a process facing delays amid shifting U.S. strategic priorities.

For Malaysia, the Kuwait Hornets represent only a stopgap solution to sustain operational readiness until a more permanent long-term solution—namely fifth-generation fighters—can be fielded in the coming two decades.

Washington has already signalled its approval for the deal, while Kuala Lumpur and Kuwait continue bilateral discussions to facilitate the RMAF’s technical evaluations.

Since their induction after the 1991 Gulf War, Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornets have been the backbone of the country’s tactical airpower, forming a key element of its national air defence strategy.

Kuwait procured 32 F/A-18C and eight F/A-18D Hornets under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme with the United States as part of its post-invasion modernisation drive.

These fourth-generation multirole fighters are widely respected for their proven air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, as well as their all-weather operability and carrier-capable versatility.

Over the past two decades, Kuwait’s Hornets have undergone extensive upgrades, including modern radar systems, advanced avionics, and enhanced electronic warfare suites, ensuring their continued relevance in modern battle environments.

The aircraft have also seen regular participation in joint exercises and operational missions alongside coalition partners in the Middle East, underscoring their combat reliability and operational value.

Despite being over three decades old, the Hornets are still structurally sound, with relatively low usage rates and robust maintenance records.

Kuwait’s transition to the more advanced F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet—acquired under a USD1.5 billion (RM7.05 billion) contract with Boeing—marks a generational shift towards more digitally integrated, long-range strike-capable platforms.

This transition opens a rare window of opportunity for Malaysia to secure a fleet of proven, combat-ready fighters at a fraction of the cost, while maintaining seamless interoperability with its existing F/A-18D Hornets.

For Kuwait, the shift underscores its transformation from Cold War-era platforms to cutting-edge digital fighters capable of sustaining dominance in a rapidly evolving Gulf security environment.

The Gulf state is simultaneously expanding its airpower through a EUR7.96 billion (RM39.8 billion) contract with Italy for 28 Eurofighter Typhoons, including 22 single-seat and six twin-seat variants.

These Typhoons represent one of the most advanced configurations to date, equipped with AESA Captor-E radar and state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems.

Thirteen Typhoons have already been delivered to Kuwait since December 2021, with the remaining 15 scheduled for arrival this year, although delivery timelines remain fluid.

Meanwhile, all 28 of Kuwait’s Super Hornets—comprising 22 F/A-18E and six F/A-18F variants—have already been manufactured by Boeing and temporarily delivered to the U.S. Navy pending final handover.

The final transfer is delayed due to ongoing upgrades at Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base, alongside logistical and training preparations.

Together, the Eurofighter Typhoons and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets will form the backbone of Kuwait’s airpower for decades to come, placing it among the most modern and capable air forces in the Gulf region. — DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA