KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has officially canceled its plan to acquire a fleet of second-hand F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwaiti Air Force, according to a report by the Malaysian news portal Twentytwo13, which cited sources close to the decision.
 |
| The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a legendary twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather multirole combat jet that has served as a cornerstone of naval aviation for decades. The "F/A" designation signifies its dual role as both a Fighter and an Attack aircraft, highlighting its exceptional versatility in both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground missions. Originally developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, its reliability and combat effectiveness have led to its adoption by several allied air forces around the world. The aircraft exists in two main families: the legacy "Hornet" (F/A-18C/D models) and the larger, more advanced "Super Hornet" (F/A-18E/F models), which represents a significant evolution in capabilities. |
The report indicates the deal was scrapped due to a confluence of factors that made the transfer complex and ultimately unfeasible. Among the primary concerns were the delayed availability of the aircraft, significant logistical and financial hurdles, and serious questions about the long-term value the aging jets would provide to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
A key obstacle was the timeline. Kuwait, which is transitioning to the newer F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, cannot hand over its legacy Hornets until its upgraded fleet is fully operational. The delivery of these new Super Hornets has been delayed to 2026, with an expected operational timeline of 2027 or 2028. This setback is attributed to several factors, including the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and procurement priorities within the U.S. Navy.
Analysts noted that by the time Kuwait could transfer the aircraft, the Hornets would be even less suitable for Malaysia’s modernization needs. In a critical finding, Twentytwo13 reported that Kuwait’s Hornet fleet is actually older than the RMAF's current F/A-18D aircraft, which have already received more advanced software and hardware upgrades.
Specifically, Malaysia’s jets operate on SCS29C software with the AN/APG-73 radar and are equipped with the Link 16 data link. In contrast, Kuwait’s Hornets still use the older SCS25XK software and the less capable AN/APG-65 radar. Integrating these jets into the RMAF’s ecosystem would have required substantial upgrades, new logistical support, and extended downtime during the refurbishment process.
Even with the Kuwaiti jets' relatively low flight hours, experts warned that their airframes could suffer from structural fatigue, necessitating costly repairs to bring them up to an acceptable standard for service.
Budgetary constraints were another decisive factor. Defense sources told Twentytwo13 that acquiring more legacy aircraft would likely divert limited funds from Malaysia’s broader and more urgent modernization priorities. Analysts concluded that the purchase would offer a poor return on investment, with a high risk of incurring additional costs for upgrades, integration, and long-term maintenance.
As the report explained, critics believed the jets would have been a temporary, stop-gap solution that would soon be retired after Malaysia procures a new generation of aircraft, thus offering no lasting benefit. "The procurement of an interim aircraft which is already deemed obsolete would not have given Malaysia sufficient 'value for money'," a defense source stated, suggesting future acquisitions should focus on more modern and sustainable platforms.
The decision also reportedly reflects doubts about the level of support from the U.S. government for the transfer, which would have required approval from Washington under defense export regulations.
As Malaysia continues to weigh its options for future fighter procurement as part of its air force modernization, this cancellation underscores the immense challenge of balancing tight budgets, operational requirements, and the long timelines often associated with international defense transfers.
