The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has intensified its strategic push to assess the viability of acquiring Kuwait’s F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet, with RMAF Chief General Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris undertaking a high-level visit to Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base to observe firsthand the progress of the ongoing technical evaluation.
The visit, which included detailed inspections and comprehensive briefings, marks a defining moment in Malaysia’s airpower modernisation agenda. It reflects the government’s determination to adopt rigorous, data-driven assessments in shaping an interim fighter solution before the country commits to its long-term transition toward fifth-generation stealth platforms.
Before arriving at the airbase, General Norazlan paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Mishaal Mubarak Al-Sabah, Undersecretary of Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence, underscoring the diplomatic weight behind the evaluation. The RMAF has consistently highlighted defence-to-defence engagement as a crucial element in establishing trust, transparency, and strategic alignment in the assessment of major military hardware.
At Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base, the RMAF Chief was received by Kuwait Air Force Deputy Commander Brigadier General Naser B. N. Al-Waheeb and senior base officials. Their presence highlighted Kuwait’s recognition of the potential transfer as a strategically significant military-to-military initiative.
General Norazlan was briefed extensively on the fleet’s operational condition, maintenance cycles, component sustainability, and life-cycle status. He also received a close-range inspection of the aircraft and the Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT) simulator — a critical system for pilot training, mission rehearsal, and operational proficiency.
The ongoing technical evaluation, conducted from 11 to 26 November 2025, is being carried out by an eight-member RMAF Assessment Team comprising specialists in piloting, engineering, avionics, propulsion, structures, and materiel management.
According to RMAF officials, the process has been meticulously organised to ensure an objective, systematic, and standards-based approach that adheres to international aerospace engineering norms. The evaluation includes scrutiny of technical documentation, structural health records, flight-hour data, sustainment requirements, and system performance metrics.
The findings will inform Malaysia’s decision on whether the Kuwait Hornets can serve as a bridging capability to reinforce national air defence readiness until the country transitions to next-generation fighters.
General Norazlan previously confirmed that the evaluation will cover airframe integrity, avionics performance, fatigue life margins, mission system reliability, and overall airworthiness — assessments deemed vital to determining whether the aircraft can seamlessly integrate into the RMAF’s operational ecosystem for the next decade.
Malaysia’s evaluation received formal approval from the United States, the original manufacturer of the F/A-18 platform. Under U.S. export control laws — specifically the Arms Export Control Act — any re-transfer of U.S.-origin military equipment requires congressional approval, even when the hardware is being transferred from one foreign government to another.
“Following the U.S. government’s approval for the evaluation, the RMAF now has access to all documentation and records related to the aircraft,” General Norazlan said, emphasising the importance of American consent in facilitating a transparent and lawful assessment process.
Initial assessments indicate that Kuwait’s Hornets retain substantial fatigue life margin due to relatively low flight hours — between 1,500 and 3,000 per aircraft. This is significantly below the 4,000 to 6,000 hours logged by Malaysia’s existing F/A-18D fleet, which has seen extensive operations in maritime patrol, air interdiction, and multinational exercises.
Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin noted that the typical service life of the F/A-18C/D ranges from 6,000 to 8,000 hours, although actual lifespan varies depending on mission profiles and maintenance regimes.
“The RMAF Technical Team visited Kuwait in June 2024, and their assessment confirmed that Kuwait’s Hornets have logged significantly fewer flight hours compared to our existing F/A-18D fleet,” Khaled said.
The comparatively low usage makes Kuwait’s Hornets attractive for Malaysia’s interim needs, reducing near-term sustainment burdens and allowing RMAF to prolong the aircraft’s operational relevance well into the 2030s.
The Defence Minister has reiterated that Malaysia aims to transition fully into fifth-generation fighter capability by 2040. Options under consideration reportedly include stealth-capable platforms from France, the United States, and Russia.
France’s potential offering is likely tied to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) or advanced Rafale variants, while the U.S. could offer the F-35A Lightning II — although interoperability demands and cost considerations remain challenges. Russia’s Su-57E, the export version of its fifth-generation fighter, is also on the radar, though geopolitical implications require careful analysis.
The fifth-generation decision will influence Malaysia’s foreign policy posture, defence diplomacy, and long-term alliance structures. In the interim, the country requires reliable multirole fighters to maintain air sovereignty and ensure credible deterrence.
Kuwait’s ability to release its Hornets depends entirely on its acceptance of its new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet — a USD1.5 billion procurement currently delayed due to infrastructure upgrades, logistics adjustments, and pilot transition requirements.
All 28 Super Hornets (22 F/A-18E and six F/A-18F variants) have already been built and handed over to the U.S. Navy for interim storage pending final delivery to Kuwait.
These delays directly affect Malaysia’s timeline. Until Kuwait formally accepts its Super Hornets, the transfer of its legacy Hornets remains uncertain.
Parallel to this, Kuwait is also inducting 28 Eurofighter Typhoons under a EUR7.96 billion deal with Italy. Thirteen have been delivered since 2021, with the rest scheduled for completion soon. The Typhoons acquired by Kuwait feature the advanced Captor-E AESA radar and some of the most sophisticated avionics suites exported to any Middle Eastern nation.
With both platforms — Typhoon and Super Hornet — Kuwait is moving toward one of the Gulf’s most modernised air combat structures, freeing up its well-maintained Hornets for potential transfer.
Southeast Asia is witnessing a rapid escalation in airpower modernisation:
Singapore is advancing its F-35B integration.
Thailand continues to enhance its Gripen fleet.
Indonesia is moving forward on Rafale and F-15EX acquisitions.
The Philippines is revitalising its multirole fighter programmes.
In this context, Malaysia’s ability to field a capable, combat-proven fighter fleet is crucial for deterrence and regional balance. The acquisition of Kuwait’s Hornets would bolster Malaysia’s capacity for BVR engagements, maritime strike missions, Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operations, and joint exercises.
The Hornet platform also offers proven performance in contested maritime environments — an essential requirement for operations in the South China Sea.
Ultimately, Kuwait’s F/A-18C/D Hornets represent a rare opportunity: a cost-effective bridging capability allowing Malaysia to maintain credible airpower while preserving financial resources for its eventual leap into fifth-generation warfare.
As Malaysia approaches a crucial period of airpower transformation, the ongoing evaluation in Kuwait is more than a procurement exercise. It signals the beginning of a decisive restructuring of RMAF force architecture — one that will shape national defence strength, regional influence, and strategic stability through the 2030s and into 2040.
The RMAF’s structured, scientifically grounded assessment in Kuwait stands as a pivotal step in shaping the nation’s air combat future, ensuring Malaysia remains prepared, capable, and strategically aligned amid rapidly shifting global and regional security dynamics.
