PETALING JAYA – Is the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) proposal to acquire a fleet of decades-old F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait a wise choice for the nation?
Speaking to Scoop, defence analyst Ridzwan Rahmat expressed reservations about the investment due to the age and usage of Kuwait’s Hornets.
However, he acknowledged the RMAF’s need for a stopgap solution to a potential shortage of combat-ready aircraft and to enhance the military wing’s operational capability.
“It’s not the most optimal solution given the potential for steel fatigue and higher maintenance costs due to the airframes’ age. But it addresses the significant gap in the RMAF’s operational capability since the MiG-29s were retired,” Ridzwan noted, referring to Malaysia grounding its remaining Russian Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jets in 2017.
Ridzwan explained that opting for second-hand jets was a sensible interim solution that would be more cost-effective than purchasing new ones.
“Newer models would be ideal, but the Hornet was originally designed as a naval aircraft for carrier operations.”
Modern multi-role fighters like the Dassault Rafale and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning offer a broader range of capabilities that the Hornet lacks, making a significant investment in this direction less desirable, he added.
When asked about Malaysia’s ability to manage without these aircraft, Ridzwan highlighted the difficulties in maintaining deterrence capabilities, especially given the challenges in procuring parts for the Sukhoi Su-30 fleet due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Earlier reports noted that the RMAF planned to conduct a technical visit to Kuwait this month to discuss acquiring the Hornet jets, which are noted for their good condition and low operating hours compared to existing RMAF aircraft.
RMAF chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan mentioned discussions with the Kuwait Air Force regarding the acquisition.
The Kuwaiti jets, purchased in 1991, are being retired in favour of more modern aircraft.
Ridzwan, associated with the defence intelligence company Janes, also suggested that the RMAF could benefit from focusing on unmanned aerial systems to patrol the extensive areas of the South China Sea.
“Unmanned systems are generally cheaper to procure and operate, though they may lack operational flexibility. However, for maritime domain awareness, this is a budget-friendly and effective solution,” he said.
In contrast, Andrin Raj, Southeast Asia regional director of the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, believes the Kuwaiti jets still have a substantial remaining lifespan but would require some upgrades.
According to several aviation sites, a standard fighter jet typically operates within a flight hour range of 5,000 to 8,000 hours. Considering an average monthly flight time of 20 hours and an annual total of 200 hours, along with necessary maintenance downtime, these aircraft can remain in service for approximately 30 to 40 years.
“The jets from Kuwait are well maintained, with a maintenance contract awarded to an Illinois aviation company. New fire controls and radars would be necessary,” he said, suggesting Malaysia could purchase an upgrade package from Boeing.
Andrin pointed out that while the Kuwaiti jets had been used primarily for traditional strike roles, their upgrades were contracted until 2025 and should have another decade of service life.
“These are basic maintenance upgrades. The United States Navy has retired these models, and Kuwait is replacing them with the more advanced F/A-18E (Super Hornet),” he added.
The RMAF’s current Hornet squadron consists of only eight aircraft, and the military branch has been eyeing similar jets being retired by the Kuwait Air Force.
Last June, Kuwait requested that the United States maintain and upgrade its Hornet jets, a deal valued at US$1.8 billion (RM8.46 billion), due to delays in the delivery of Super Hornet jets.
Regardless, the RMAF is reportedly weighing the possibility of expanding its fleet with another batch of FA-50M light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
In May, KAI expressed confidence that the RMAF would acquire an additional 18 units of FA-50M, potentially doubling its fleet to 36 units. Park Shang-shin, KAI’s regional manager for Asia, anticipated negotiations would begin in the latter half of 2026, following the success and satisfaction with the first batch procured in May 2023.
As part of the the RMAF’s CAP55 programme, the air force has outlined its intentions to phase out its current inventory, which includes the eight Hornets and 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA), by 2035 and 2040, respectively.
Preparations are underway for the induction of a new fleet of MRCA before the scheduled retirement of these long-serving heavyweight fighter jets. – June 6, 2024