The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will dispatch a team to Kuwait in September to evaluate 38 retired F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fighter jets as part of a possible acquisition program, according to Malaysian defense officials.
General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris, the newly appointed Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, confirmed that the U.S. — as the aircraft’s original manufacturer — has granted the necessary clearance for Malaysia to begin reviewing documentation and technical records related to the Kuwaiti fleet.
“After receiving approval from the country of origin, we can now review the documents and records related to the aircraft, and we have prepared a team to conduct the evaluation there,” Norazlan said during a press conference at Subang Air Base following the presentation of the 21st Air Force Commander’s Order of the Day.
The RMAF assessment team is scheduled to travel to Kuwait in September. According to Norazlan, the inspection process will take approximately three weeks.
“This evaluation is critical to examine the aircraft’s suitability, especially regarding maintenance aspects,” he said. “As everyone knows, these are used aircraft. We need to assess them from multiple perspectives, including their long-term maintainability.”
He cautioned against focusing solely on the number of aircraft available for purchase without considering the costs and challenges of sustaining the fleet.
“There is no point in acquiring a large number if we cannot afford to maintain and operate them effectively,” Norazlan said.
The timeline for transferring the aircraft will depend on the delivery of Kuwait’s replacement jets — the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
“I have been informed that if they (Kuwait) receive four aircraft, we will receive four. If they take delivery of eight, we will receive eight,” he added.
Malaysia has operated a small fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornets since the 1990s. These aircraft have remained a core component of the RMAF’s combat capability, and Kuala Lumpur has maintained them with U.S. assistance and local support.
The potential purchase of Kuwait’s F/A-18Cs and Ds would expand Malaysia’s Hornet fleet and improve fleet commonality. Kuwait’s Hornets — many of which have undergone mid-life upgrades — may offer a relatively low-cost way for Malaysia to enhance its air combat strength, especially as the country seeks to modernize its armed forces amid growing regional tensions.
However, as General Norazlan emphasized, operational costs, readiness rates, and future logistics support will be key factors in determining whether the acquisition proceeds.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s review comes amid a broader regional trend, with several Southeast Asian nations evaluating second-hand Western aircraft to upgrade aging fleets. Kuwait, for its part, is gradually retiring its F/A-18 fleet as it transitions to newer platforms, including the Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon.
No official deal has been announced yet, but the evaluation in Kuwait could be a first step toward formal negotiations.
The U.S. State Department previously approved the potential transfer of the Kuwaiti jets to Malaysia under Washington’s Foreign Military Sales process, clearing the way for this evaluation effort.
The Malaysian government has not disclosed a timeline for making a final decision on the acquisition. However, General Norazlan’s remarks suggest that Kuala Lumpur remains cautious and methodical in assessing the Hornets’ condition before proceeding with any commitment.