Malaysia confirms US approval to acquire up to 33 second-hand F/A-18 Hornets fighter jets from Kuwait.

As reported by ZonaJakarta on June 17, 2025, during a press conference held at the 67th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) at Kuantan Air Base by General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, Chief of the RMAF, confirmed that the United States has approved Malaysia’s request to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force, following extended discussions that began as early as 2017. The U.S. authorization complies with the Arms Export Control Act, which requires Congressional approval for any third-party transfer of American-made defense equipment.
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The F/A-18 Hornet, developed by McDonnell Douglas and introduced in the early 1980s, is a twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. (Picture source: Finnish Air Force)

A joint committee comprising representatives from Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence, and the Kuwait Air Force has already been established to oversee further negotiations. However, the transfer of the aircraft is conditional on Kuwait first receiving its new fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons, deliveries of which are ongoing. Once those aircraft are delivered, the Kuwaiti F/A-18s can be formally released to Malaysia under the approved terms.

Malaysia initially expressed interest in acquiring Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornets in June 2024, following a technical evaluation by the RMAF. The process accelerated after Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin conducted an official visit to Kuwait in October 2024. He was accompanied by General Asghar Khan and held meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. The visit included an inspection of the Hornets at Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, where Khaled was informed that Kuwait had no objection in principle to Malaysia’s acquisition of the aircraft, subject to the conclusion of Kuwaiti procurement plans. Malaysia previously explored similar acquisition options in 2017 but postponed action due to budget constraints and the ongoing development of its Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program. The newly approved deal involves the planned transfer of 30 to 33 airframes, including both F/A-18C single-seat and F/A-18D twin-seat variants, all of which are still in operational use with Kuwait’s air force.

Kuwait originally procured 40 F/A-18 Hornets, 32 F/A-18Cs and 8 F/A-18Ds, between 1992 and 1993 through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program in response to the air defense needs following the 1991 Gulf War. These aircraft have served in two combat squadrons and a dedicated Operational Conversion Unit (OCU). As of late 2024, the operational fleet was reduced to 32 aircraft due to a crash on October 9, 2024. The Hornets have undergone periodic upgrades to radar, avionics, electronic warfare systems, and cockpit instrumentation to maintain combat relevance. Defence Minister Khaled stated that the airframes remain structurally sound and in good operational condition due to relatively low flight hours and strict maintenance schedules. Their transfer is seen by Malaysian defense planners as a practical interim solution to address gaps in combat readiness while awaiting the delayed implementation of the MRCA program, which is now projected to commence under the 15th Malaysia Plan around 2040.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force currently operates eight F/A-18D Hornets acquired in 1997 and based at Butterworth Air Base, along with 18 Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters. In recent years, the RMAF’s overall fighter capability has been reduced due to the retirement of 16 MiG-29N aircraft in 2017 and the recent decommissioning of the BAE Hawk 208/108 light attack fleet. To begin replenishing its capabilities, Malaysia signed a contract for 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft from South Korea, which are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2026. The Hornet acquisition is expected to reinforce Malaysia’s existing air combat structure without requiring a complete overhaul of infrastructure, given that the RMAF already operates the F/A-18D variant. The current acquisition builds on earlier upgrades to the RMAF’s existing Hornets, including enhancements to communication systems, radar warning receivers, and the integration of the Link 16 datalink, all approved by Malaysia in 2022. These measures support short- to medium-term operational continuity without introducing new airframe types or excessive logistics burden.

The F/A-18 Hornet, developed by McDonnell Douglas and introduced in the early 1980s, is a twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The F/A-18C is a single-seat variant introduced in 1987 with expanded weapons compatibility and improved radar systems. The F/A-18D is a two-seat variant configured for all-weather strike missions and includes a Weapons and Sensors Officer (WSO) to operate targeting systems. The aircraft are powered by two F404-GE-402 engines with enhanced thrust output. Features include the Martin-Baker NACES ejection seat, thermal navigation pods such as the AN/AAR-50, targeting pods like the AN/AAS-38A NITE Hawk, and night-vision compatible cockpits. Some D models are equipped with the ATARS reconnaissance suite. Compatibility includes AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84E SLAM, and other NATO-standard munitions. Production of the F/A-18C/D ceased in 2000, with the final C delivered to Finland and the final D to the U.S. Marine Corps, which still operates upgraded examples equipped with the APG-79(V)4 AESA radar system.

The Hornet has seen operational use in multiple conflicts since its initial deployment, including U.S. operations in the Gulf of Sidra in 1986 and major involvement in the 1991 Gulf War. During the Gulf War, more than 180 Hornets were used by U.S. forces, flying over 4,500 sorties and achieving air-to-air victories over Iraqi MiG-21s. The aircraft continued to serve in later operations, including Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, performing air superiority, ground strike, and close air support missions. In Kuwait’s case, its Hornets participated in joint exercises with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and U.S. forces and contributed to multinational strike missions in the region. Their continued operational use and recorded mission history are factors contributing to their consideration by the RMAF. While the aircraft are from an earlier production block than Malaysia’s current F/A-18Ds, logistical and maintenance compatibility is expected to be manageable due to existing infrastructure and personnel training. The deal, once completed, will also increase Malaysia’s ability to coordinate with regional and international partners using NATO-compatible platforms.

Kuwait’s divestment of its F/A-18C/D fleet is part of a broader modernization plan that includes the procurement of 28 Eurofighter Typhoons and 28 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The Eurofighter contract, signed with Italy in 2016 and valued at approximately €7.96 billion, includes 22 single-seat and six twin-seat aircraft equipped with Captor-E AESA radar and advanced defensive aids. The first two Typhoons were delivered in December 2021, with subsequent deliveries continuing in batches. The Super Hornet acquisition, covered under a 2018 contract with Boeing, includes 22 F/A-18Es and six F/A-18Fs. Deliveries of the new platforms are ongoing and are expected to be completed by 2027. Malaysia’s acquisition of the outgoing Hornet fleet aligns with the timeline of Kuwait’s modernization efforts, offering an opportunity for Malaysia to reinforce its combat capability without waiting for new-build aircraft. While the number of aircraft to be transferred may not exceed 33, analysts believe a more realistic figure for operational integration would range between 24 and 30, depending on the serviceability of the airframes upon inspection and post-transfer upgrades.