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Kuwait, November 23 - In a pivotal move to bolster Malaysia's aerial defense capabilities, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Muhamad Norazlan Aris led a high-level inspection of the Kuwait Air Force's F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets at the Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base. This hands-on evaluation, conducted during a strategic working visit, marks a critical phase in the potential acquisition of up to 33 battle-tested Legacy Hornets, a deal greenlit by the United States under its Foreign Military Sales program. With regional security tensions escalating in the Indo-Pacific, the RMAF's pursuit of these multirole combat aircraft underscores Malaysia's commitment to modernizing its aging fleet and enhancing operational readiness against evolving threats.
The F/A-18 Hornet, renowned for its versatility in air-to-air superiority, precision strikes, and reconnaissance missions, has served Kuwaiti squadrons since the 1990s, logging relatively low flight hours between 1,500 and 3,000, far below the typical 6,000 to 8,000-hour lifespan. Norazlan's team meticulously assessed the jets' structural integrity, avionics systems, radar configurations like the AN/APG-65, and overall airframe condition, building on preliminary RMAF technical visits in June 2024. These Legacy Hornets, a mix of single-seat C variants and twin-seat D models, have undergone mid-life upgrades, ensuring compatibility with Malaysia's existing eight F/A-18D Hornets while integrating seamlessly into joint exercises with allies. This inspection not only verifies the aircraft's combat-proven reliability, honed in Gulf Cooperation Council operations, but also evaluates logistics support and upgrade pathways to align with RMAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKM backbone.
Securing these Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornets could dramatically expand Malaysia's multirole fighter inventory, addressing critical gaps in fleet size and sustainment amid budget constraints that have delayed new-build acquisitions. The deal, valued potentially over $5 billion, hinges on Kuwait's transition to advanced F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons, with a joint Malaysia-Kuwait-U.S. committee overseeing timelines for 2026 deliveries. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who paved the way during his October 2024 Kuwait visit, emphasized that this procurement aligns with the nation's 2040 airpower recapitalization blueprint, prioritizing cost-effective enhancements in beyond-visual-range lethality and network-centric warfare without compromising fiscal prudence.
As Malaysia navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, the RMAF Hornet acquisition represents a pragmatic leap toward self-reliant deterrence, fortifying the skies over the South China Sea and beyond. Should the evaluation affirm the jets' value, this infusion of 24 to 30 airframes promises to elevate the RMAF's strike capabilities, ensuring a robust, interoperable force ready for tomorrow's challenges. The coming months will reveal if these Hornets roar into Malaysian service, cementing a legacy of aerial excellence.
