Malaysian Defence Minister Holds Follow-up Meeting with Kuwaiti Ambassador on KAF F/A-18 Acquisition
In a post on his official Facebook account, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that his meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Rashed M R Al-Saleh, on Monday was a follow-up to his official working visit to Kuwait in early October.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, held a follow-up meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Rashed M R Al-Saleh, at the Ministry of Defence office on Monday (yesterday).
In a post on his official Facebook account, Mohamed Khaled stated that the meeting served as a follow-up to his official visit to Kuwait in early October.
Last July, the Defence Minister received a courtesy call from Al-Saleh at his office.
“The meeting with the Kuwaiti Ambassador focused on Malaysia’s interest in acquiring fighter jets from the Kuwaiti Air Force (KAF), which are intended to enhance the capabilities and readiness of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF),” Mohamed Khaled said.
During his visit to Kuwait last month, the Defence Minister also held discussions with Kuwait’s Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Interior.
“I also visited the Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, which houses the squadron responsible for operating the KAF’s F/A-18C/D Legacy Hornet fighter jets,” he added.
The RMAF Chief, General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, accompanied Mohamed Khaled on his visit to Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base.
In June, a technical team from the RMAF traveled to Kuwait to discuss the acquisition of these fighter jets.
The RMAF Chief previously stated that Kuwait’s F/A-18D (Hornet) jets are still in good condition and have fewer operational hours compared to the RMAF’s existing Hornets.
Mohamed Khaled noted that the Kuwaiti government had previously responded positively to Malaysia’s interest in acquiring KAF’s F/A-18C/D Legacy Hornet jets.
Earlier, the Defence Minister announced that Malaysia and Kuwait had agreed to establish a committee to initiate negotiations on the acquisition of Kuwait’s F/A-18C/D fighter jets.
“Malaysia and Kuwait have agreed to set up a joint committee to begin discussions and negotiations for the acquisition of these Legacy Hornet jets,” said the Defence Minister.
Malaysia plans to acquire the Kuwaiti Air Force’s F/A-18C/D Hornets as an interim measure before the RMAF is equipped with new Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).
The Kuwaiti Air Force has decided to retire its F/A-18C/D jets following the acquisition of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons.
To replace its F/A-18C/D fleet, Kuwait has acquired 28 Super Hornets—comprising 22 single-seat F/A-18E and six F/A-18F two-seater variants—set to operate from Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base.
In addition to the Super Hornets, Kuwait also purchased 28 Eurofighter Typhoon jets developed by BAE Systems, estimated at a value of USD 8.7 billion (RM38.73 billion). – DSA
