Southeast Asia: The United States has formally approved the transfer of used F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The deal, now gaining substantial momentum, marks a pivotal chapter in Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to modernize and reinforce its air combat capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The RMAF chief, General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, confirmed during a press briefing commemorating the 67th anniversary of the air force at Kuantan Air Base that Washington had granted the necessary legal clearance for the transfer to proceed. This endorsement under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act — a critical legislative gatekeeper in all third-party military equipment transfers — unlocks the next phase of negotiations involving Malaysia, Kuwait, and the United States.
“There is positive progress on the deal. We have set up a committee comprising the Defence Ministries of both countries and the Kuwaiti Air Force, and the US has granted approval for us to proceed with further discussions,” said General Asghar Khan.
While the United States’ approval is a major diplomatic and legal breakthrough, the actual transfer of the aircraft remains contingent on Kuwait receiving its new fleet of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets — part of a broader modernization campaign involving both the U.S. and European defence industries.
“Once they receive the Super Hornets, then, God willing, the transfer from Kuwait to Malaysia will proceed positively. Discussions have already begun,” General Asghar Khan noted, expressing optimism about the timeline and strategic importance of the agreement.
The package under discussion includes approximately 30 F/A-18 Hornets, comprising a mix of single-seat F/A-18C and twin-seat F/A-18D variants. These aircraft, all procured in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, have formed the backbone of the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) for more than three decades.
Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled, affirmed earlier that the aircraft are in good condition and offer considerable operational viability. According to him, the procurement would significantly boost Malaysia’s air deterrence and allow the RMAF to maintain credible air defence capability at a fraction of the cost of new fighters.
Malaysia’s current fighter fleet consists of eight operational F/A-18D Hornets and 18 Russian-built Su-30MKM Flanker multirole fighters. While both platforms remain potent, they face growing logistical, aging, and maintenance-related challenges. The retirement of the ageing BAE Hawk 208/108 fleet further accentuated Malaysia’s need for an immediate and cost-effective interim solution.
In a complementary move, Malaysia has signed a deal with South Korea to acquire 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin next year. These jets, while effective for training and light strike roles, lack the multirole depth and combat endurance offered by the legacy Hornets.
The arrival of up to 30 additional F/A-18C/D Hornets from Kuwait would enable the RMAF to double or even triple its current Hornet squadron strength. Moreover, due to the compatibility of these airframes with Malaysia’s existing Hornet support infrastructure, the transfer presents an extremely cost-effective way to scale up without incurring prohibitive training or integration costs.
The implications of the deal go beyond the immediate tactical benefits to the RMAF. From a strategic standpoint, Washington’s approval reflects a deepening trust in Malaysia as a responsible and capable operator of U.S.-origin military systems.
The transfer also enhances Malaysia’s interoperability with allied forces, especially within the framework of the U.S.-aligned regional defence architecture. As the South China Sea becomes an increasingly contested theatre, Malaysia’s ability to project credible air power takes on new urgency.
“The approval from Washington is not only a strategic milestone for Malaysia but also underscores growing U.S. confidence in its Southeast Asian partner as a stable and capable operator of American-made platforms,” defence analyst Dr. Arman Zain of the Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) explained.
Kuwait first acquired its Hornets in the early 1990s under a U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, procuring 32 F/A-18C and 8 F/A-18D aircraft. The acquisition was part of an urgent effort to rebuild its military capacity following the devastating Iraqi invasion in 1990.
Over the years, Kuwait’s Hornets underwent extensive mid-life upgrades, including new radar systems, digital avionics, enhanced electronic warfare suites, and reinforced structural elements. These upgrades ensured the aircraft remained at high operational readiness, suitable for both defensive and strike missions.
Kuwaiti Hornets have regularly taken part in joint exercises with U.S. and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) allies and were deployed in combat zones under U.S.-led coalitions in the Middle East, adding real-world credibility to their proven performance.
Despite their age, Kuwaiti Hornets remain structurally sound, with lower-than-average airframe fatigue due to conservative flight cycles and robust maintenance practices — factors that add significant value for any acquiring air force.
Kuwait’s decision to divest its Hornets aligns with its sweeping air force modernization strategy. The Gulf nation is investing heavily in two cutting-edge platforms: the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Under a €7.96 billion agreement signed with Italy in 2016, Kuwait is set to receive 28 advanced Eurofighters equipped with the Captor-E AESA radar and state-of-the-art electronic countermeasures. The first of these were delivered in December 2021, with more arriving in regular intervals.
In parallel, Kuwait has ordered 28 Boeing Super Hornets under a $1.5 billion FMS deal signed in 2018. This includes 22 single-seat F/A-18E and six twin-seat F/A-18F aircraft, all tailored to meet future air combat and strike requirements with enhanced range, stealth, and networked combat capabilities.
With deliveries of these platforms already underway, Kuwait is poised to phase out its legacy Hornet fleet in a staggered but determined manner. This transition offers Malaysia a golden opportunity to capitalize on the window created by Kuwait’s tactical shift.
The transfer also plays into broader U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. With growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and the maritime corridors of Southeast Asia, the U.S. has ramped up its engagement with regional allies to ensure a credible deterrence posture.
From the perspective of regional balance, Malaysia’s expanded air capabilities could serve as a stabilizing factor in the broader ASEAN security environment. It enhances Kuala Lumpur’s ability to defend its maritime claims, conduct aerial surveillance, and participate in multilateral exercises, including those involving QUAD members and other ASEAN states.
“This move significantly improves Malaysia’s deterrence in the air domain,” said Dr. Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “The Hornets will allow RMAF to conduct more joint missions and deepen interoperability, which is critical in the face of grey zone operations and aerial provocations in the South China Sea.”
Although the F/A-18C and F/A-18D are similar to Malaysia’s current F/A-18Ds, some challenges remain. Differences in avionics configurations, software baselines, and weapons integration will require harmonization to ensure fleet-wide operational consistency.
Malaysia is reportedly considering limited upgrades for the newly acquired aircraft to bring them closer to its existing Hornet standard. This could include integrating indigenous or alternative communications systems, standardized cockpit interfaces, and sensor calibration.
Moreover, human resources and logistics chains will need to expand to accommodate a nearly threefold increase in Hornet airframes. This will involve additional pilot training, ground crew expansion, and spares procurement. However, given Malaysia’s experience with the platform, these challenges are deemed manageable.
The U.S.-approved transfer of Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornets to Malaysia is more than a simple arms deal; it is a testament to the maturing trilateral defence relationship among Washington, Kuwait, and Kuala Lumpur.
The acquisition promises to bolster Malaysia’s ability to defend its skies, contribute meaningfully to regional stability, and align more closely with U.S. and allied security frameworks. For Kuwait, the divestment marks a transition into a new era of aerial warfare capabilities while reinforcing its longstanding defence partnership with the United States.
