Malaysian Defence Minister in Kuwait Now, Linked to Possible Acquisition of Kuwait Air Force’s F/A-18C/D
Malaysia plans to acquire the Kuwait Air Force's F/A-18 C/D Hornets as a "stop-gap measure" before the RMAF is equipped with new Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). Kuwait has decided to retire its F/A-18 C/D jets after acquiring F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is currently in Kuwait for an official visit to the Middle Eastern nation, believed to be closely linked to Malaysia’s efforts to acquire F/A-18C/D fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force.
“I have safely arrived in Kuwait for an official working visit,” the Defence Minister stated via a brief post on his official Facebook account.
“During my time here, I will be meeting Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait, as well as my counterpart, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Kuwait.”
“In addition, I will visit the Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, operated by the Kuwait Air Force,” Khaled added.
The Malaysian delegation includes the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) of the Ministry of Defence, Mohd Yani Daud, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Malaysian Air Force Headquarters.
Upon his arrival at Kuwait International Airport, the Malaysian Defence Minister was received by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Kuwait, ‘Alauddin Mohd Nor, and the Chief of Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Bandar Salem Abdullah Al-Muzayan.
Recently, Defence Security Asia revealed the Defence Minister’s plans to visit Kuwait as part of Malaysia’s bid to purchase the F/A-18C/D fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force.
Several months ago, the Malaysian Defence Minister held discussions with Kuwait’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Rashed Mohammed Rashed ALSALEH, where one of the key topics was RMAF’s interest in acquiring Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornet jets.
“Among the matters discussed was the country’s interest in obtaining the Kuwait Air Force’s Legacy F/A-18 Hornet jets, following KAF’s acquisition of its new Super Hornets,” he said in a previous Facebook post.
The meeting also covered “Military-to-Military Cooperation,” defence industry collaboration, and the conflict in Gaza, according to Mohamed Khaled.
In June, an RMAF technical team visited Kuwait to negotiate the acquisition of the fighter jets.
The RMAF Chief had previously stated that the Kuwait Air Force’s F/A-18D (Hornet) jets are in good condition and have lower operational hours compared to RMAF’s existing Hornet fleet.
The Kuwait Air Force operates 39 F/A-18C/D Hornet jets, comprising both single-seat and twin-seat variants.
Malaysia plans to acquire the Kuwait Air Force’s F/A-18 C/D Hornets as a “stop-gap measure” before the RMAF is equipped with new Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).
Kuwait has decided to retire its F/A-18 C/D jets after acquiring F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons.
To replace the F/A-18C/D fleet, Kuwait has procured 28 Super Hornets, including 22 single-seat F/A-18E and six twin-seat F/A-18F models, which will be based at Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base.
In addition to the Super Hornets, Kuwait has also purchased 28 Eurofighter Typhoons, developed by BAE Systems, in a deal estimated at US$8.7 billion (RM38.73 billion). — DSA
