Kuwait’s Affirmative Response Clears the Path for Malaysia’s Acquisition
Malaysia is inching closer to acquiring a fleet of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait, a development that could significantly enhance the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)’s combat capabilities. Recent talks between the two nations have revealed promising prospects for the transfer of the aircraft, following assurances from Kuwaiti authorities that they have no objections to Malaysia’s request for the purchase.
The announcement came during a visit by Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin to Kuwait on October 6, where he was joined by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief, General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan. This high-profile visit aimed to deepen bilateral relations and explore defense cooperation opportunities, especially in the wake of Malaysia’s urgent need to modernize its air force capabilities.
During his visit, Khaled met several key Kuwaiti leaders, including the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. These discussions laid the foundation for a potential deal, with Khaled confirming that Kuwait had responded positively to Malaysia’s request to acquire their F/A-18 Hornets.
“Kuwait has shown a positive response to Malaysia’s request for the purchase of these assets,” Khaled revealed in a press statement, noting that Kuwait’s assurance is a major step forward for Malaysia’s military aviation needs.
However, the sale hinges on several crucial conditions. One of the main stipulations is the approval from the United States, which initially supplied the F/A-18 jets to Kuwait. Additionally, Kuwait needs to complete its acquisition of new fighter aircraft—including the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets—before it can sell its existing fleet of F/A-18s to Malaysia.
Despite these conditions, Khaled expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s willingness to accommodate Malaysia’s needs. “We are grateful to the Kuwaiti government for their affirmative indication, especially as they recognize this is an urgent need for Malaysia,” he said, underlining the importance of acquiring these jets to avoid further delays in upgrading the RMAF’s capabilities.
The negotiations and procurement process will be closely monitored by a special committee established by both nations. This committee will oversee the discussions and ensure that the transfer of jets is completed swiftly once the prerequisite conditions are met. Given the complexities of international arms deals, such as regulatory approvals and technical assessments, the committee’s role will be vital in smoothing out the procedural hurdles.
Khaled acknowledged that any failure to secure the Kuwaiti jets would significantly delay Malaysia’s plans to modernize its air force. “If we do not succeed in obtaining Kuwait’s jets, this will significantly delay our air force’s combat readiness,” he noted.
In addition to the jet procurement, Khaled’s visit also focused on enhancing broader defense and security cooperation between Malaysia and Kuwait. Both sides agreed that a formal defense pact, in the form of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), would be beneficial for both nations. Discussions on the MoU covered topics such as joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and personnel training.
The potential agreement reflects a shared understanding of each nation’s strategic interests. Khaled emphasized that while Malaysia is situated far from the Middle East, its geopolitical importance is not lost on the Southeast Asian nation. “Just as Kuwait views the South China Sea as an important area, Malaysia also pays attention to the Middle East because whatever happens there can impact the world. Therefore, it is important for Malaysia to understand and be aware of the issues in the Middle East,” he explained.
The RMAF currently operates a fleet of F/A-18D fighter jets, which, while effective, have been in service for many years. The Malaysian Air Force maintains a total of eight F/A-18Ds, and while they play a key role in the country’s aerial defense, they are supported by 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs as the primary backbone of Malaysia’s aerial capabilities.
However, the Su-30MKMs have been facing various maintenance and sustainment challenges, which have prompted Malaysia to seek additional fighter jets. In this context, the potential acquisition of Kuwaiti F/A-18C/D Hornets is seen as a necessary measure to bridge the gap while more long-term solutions, such as new multirole combat aircraft (MRCA), are being considered.
Additional assets in the RMAF’s inventory include 12 BAE Systems Hawk 208 light attack jets. In an effort to further bolster its fleet, Malaysia has also ordered 18 FA-50 light attack jets from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with the possibility of increasing the order by an additional 18 aircraft.
However, despite these initiatives, defense analysts have raised concerns about a potential capability gap in the RMAF if Malaysia does not promptly execute key modernization programs. These programs include the mid-life overhaul of the existing F/A-18D Hornets, the acquisition of supplementary aircraft, and the long-awaited decision on procuring new MRCAs to either complement or replace the aging Sukhoi Su-30MKMs.
In 2022, these concerns led to the realization that Malaysia needed to accelerate its efforts to modernize its air force fleet to avoid losing critical capabilities. The procurement of second-hand F/A-18s from Kuwait is viewed as a crucial step in addressing this gap and maintaining a robust defense posture.
While Kuwait has signaled its willingness to sell the jets, the deal is contingent on approval from the United States. As the original manufacturer and supplier of the F/A-18 Hornets, the U.S. government must greenlight any subsequent sales of these aircraft to third parties, in this case, Malaysia.
This requirement is standard practice in international defense sales, where exporting nations retain oversight over the transfer of military hardware to ensure that the equipment is not used inappropriately or transferred to hostile entities. Given the strong military and diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the United States, approval is expected to be a procedural matter, though it may involve some delays.
Kuwait’s air force currently operates a total of 28 single-seat F/A-18Cs and seven two-seat F/A-18Ds. These jets have been in service with the Kuwaiti Air Force since the 1990s and are slated to be replaced as part of Kuwait’s broader air force modernization program.
Kuwait’s plan to replace its aging F/A-18 fleet with a combination of Eurofighter Typhoons and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets is central to the timeline of the sale to Malaysia. Once Kuwait has successfully acquired these new aircraft, it will be able to decommission and sell its existing F/A-18 jets to Malaysia.
While the exact number of jets Malaysia is seeking to acquire remains unclear, defense analysts estimate that Malaysia could purchase between 24 and 33 airframes. This acquisition would provide a significant boost to the RMAF’s operational capabilities, allowing it to maintain a credible deterrent and meet regional security challenges.
Malaysia has not been idle in its efforts to enhance its F/A-18 fleet. Earlier this year, in May, the U.S. government approved the sale of new targeting pods for Malaysia’s F/A-18D Hornets. These advanced targeting systems will improve the jets’ precision in combat operations, enhancing their effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.
However, acquiring additional F/A-18s is seen as an essential part of Malaysia’s broader strategy to avoid any further gaps in its air force capabilities, especially as its Su-30MKMs continue to face maintenance challenges.
The potential acquisition of F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait represents a significant opportunity for Malaysia to strengthen its air force and address its current capability gaps. With positive signals from Kuwait and the formation of a joint committee to oversee the procurement process, the deal appears to be moving forward, albeit with several conditions that must be met first.
Kuwait’s ongoing air force modernization and the requirement for U.S. approval are among the key factors that will determine the timeline of this acquisition. Once finalized, the deal will not only enhance Malaysia’s aerial defense capabilities but also deepen bilateral defense ties between Malaysia and Kuwait.
