Kuala Lumpur, December 22 - The proposed acquisition of surplus F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has encountered further delays, placing Malaysia's airpower modernization at a critical juncture. Initially viewed as a pragmatic interim solution to bolster the RMAF's aging fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornets, the deal, under negotiation since 2017, now faces mounting uncertainties tied to Kuwait's own delayed transition to F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and stringent U.S. export conditions. As of late 2025, Kuwait insists on retaining its legacy Hornets until fully operational with replacements, with no firm delivery timeline, while U.S. authorities have stipulated that transferred aircraft would require extensive onboard modifications before RMAF operational authorization.
These setbacks highlight deeper challenges in Malaysia's fighter jet procurement strategy amid fiscal constraints and a rapidly evolving regional security landscape. The Kuwaiti F/A-18C/D Hornets, though well-maintained with lower flight hours than Malaysia's current assets, feature outdated avionics and software incompatible with the RMAF's upgraded AN/APG-73 radar and Link 16 systems, potentially inflating integration costs and timelines. RMAF Chief General Muhamad Norazlan Aris has acknowledged the risk, noting contingency planning to prevent capability gaps that could undermine airspace sovereignty in the contested South China Sea.
Facing this impasse, the RMAF is reassessing its long-term airpower roadmap under Capability Plan 2055 (CAP55). Alternatives include accelerating the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program, originally slated for the 2030s-2040s, to replace both Hornet and Su-30MKM fleets sooner, alongside ongoing FA-50 light fighter acquisitions. Interest in fifth-generation platforms, such as the Rafale, F-35, or others, underscores a potential shift toward stealth-enabled deterrence.
Ultimately, the slipping F/A-18C/D Kuwait deal compels Malaysia to confront a strategic airpower crossroads: balancing immediate readiness with sustainable modernization in an era of intensifying Indo-Pacific competition. Delays risk eroding deterrent credibility, prompting urgent decisions to safeguard national interests through diversified fighter jet procurement pathways.
