Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornets fighters may soon join Malaysia’s air fleet as US approval awaits.

On October 8, 2024, Malaysia's defense Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, announced that Kuwait is open to Malaysia's request to acquire its 33 F/A-18 C/D Hornet fighter jets. However, the acquisition is contingent upon approval from the United States and depends on Kuwait receiving its new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons. Kuwaiti leadership has expressed a willingness to proceed once these conditions are met, but the decision ultimately depends on external factors.
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Kuwait, following its post-Gulf War purchase, operates a fleet of 33 F/A-18 Hornets in two squadrons, including 26 F/A-18C and 7 F/A-18D models, alongside an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) squadron for training. (Picture source: US DoD)

Khaled, who has been on an official visit to Kuwait since October 6, 2024, aimed at bolstering defense ties, was accompanied by the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan. During his visit, he met with key Kuwaiti officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Discussions focused on the potential Hornet procurement and broader defense cooperation between Malaysia and Kuwait.

Malaysia first expressed interest in acquiring Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornets in June 2024, following an evaluation by an RMAF technical team. The RMAF's current Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) fleet includes eight F/A-18D Hornets and 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs. Malaysia previously retired its MiG-29 fleet in 2017, and the MRCA program has evolved from an initial goal of 18 aircraft to as many as 40. Acquiring Kuwait’s Hornets could enhance Malaysia’s capabilities without significantly delaying its fleet modernization.

A joint committee with officials from both countries will be established to expedite the acquisition once conditions are met. Khaled noted that if Malaysia cannot procure these jets from Kuwait, the RMAF could face a three- to four-year delay in securing alternatives. He expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s support in understanding Malaysia's defense needs, while acknowledging that the specific details of the acquisition are still under discussion.

In 2022, Malaysia approved upgrades to its F/A-18D Hornets, enhancing communications, radar warning systems, and adding the Link-16 datalink. (Picture source: US DoD)

Beyond aircraft procurement, Khaled and Kuwaiti officials explored a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for defense cooperation. This MoU would allow both countries to collaborate on regional security issues, including developments in the Middle East and the South China Sea. Additionally, it would support joint research initiatives and focus on emerging technologies like AI and environmental sustainability in defense.

Kuwait’s fleet modernization program, involving the Eurofighter Typhoon and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, aligns with Malaysia's prospective acquisition timeline. Kuwait expects to complete its new fleet by 2027, potentially enabling the transfer of its legacy Hornets to Malaysia. Although Malaysia may acquire up to 33 airframes, analysts suggest that 24 may be a more feasible target. Kuwait initially purchased the F/A-18C/D Hornets following the Gulf War.

Khaled also plans to visit Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base to meet with Kuwaiti Armed Forces officials to finalize the acquisition details and discuss further defense cooperation. This prospective purchase aligns with Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its air fleet, which currently includes F/A-18D Hornets, Su-30MKMs, and BAE Hawk aircraft. This initiative also reflects Kuwait’s broader strategy to upgrade its military assets, including recent investments in Turkish UAVs and Eurofighter Typhoons.

In combat, the F/A-18C/D has been deployed in various operations, beginning with actions in the Gulf of Sidra against Libya in 1986, and later saw service in the Gulf War in 1991. (Picture source: US DoD)

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, developed in the 1970s, is a carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft originally derived from Northrop's YF-17 Cobra. Intended for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, the F/A-18 was designed to meet the U.S. Navy's requirements for a versatile, cost-effective platform. Its first flight was in 1978, with operational deployment beginning in 1983 for the U.S. Marine Corps, followed by the U.S. Navy in 1984. The Hornet can perform a variety of missions, including fleet air defense, close air support, and reconnaissance, and it was the basis for the development of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which has replaced the F-14 Tomcat in some roles within the U.S. Navy.

The F/A-18C/D models, introduced in 1987, include various upgrades over the initial F/A-18A/B, such as enhanced avionics, improved radar, and expanded armament capabilities, including compatibility with the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AGM-65 Maverick. The C model is a single-seat configuration, while the D model is a two-seat version primarily used by the U.S. Marine Corps for missions requiring additional roles, such as night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) operations. These variants incorporate systems like the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod and the AN/AAS-38A NITE Hawk targeting pod, which improve night and all-weather functionality. Powered by twin General Electric F404-GE-402 engines, the F/A-18C/D models achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and have a service ceiling of 50,000 feet.

In combat, the F/A-18C/D has been deployed in various operations, beginning with actions in the Gulf of Sidra against Libya in 1986, and later saw service in the Gulf War in 1991. During the Gulf War, the Navy and Marine Corps operated over 180 Hornets, which completed 4,551 sorties. The aircraft were credited with aerial victories over Iraqi MiG-21s and were utilized for air defense, ground attack, and close air support roles. The Hornet continued to serve in conflicts such as Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, engaging in air and ground missions.