🇲🇾 Malaysia Cancels Acquisition of Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornets, Shifts Focus to Modern Alternatives

In a significant shift in defense procurement strategy, Malaysia has officially canceled its long-planned acquisition of F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force. This decision, confirmed by defense sources in August 2025, ends years of negotiations and underscores the complexities of international defense transfers. The move reflects Malaysia’s prioritization of long-term value over short-term solutions, as the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) seeks to modernize its fleet amid growing regional security challenges 12.

Background of the Planned Acquisition

The proposed acquisition of Kuwait’s surplus F/A-18 Hornets was first mooted in 2017. Kuwait, which is transitioning to the newer F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons, planned to transfer its legacy Hornets to Malaysia. However, the deal faced repeated delays due to:

• Delivery delays of Kuwait’s new Super Hornets, pushed back to 2026 due to COVID-19 pandemic impacts and U.S. Navy procurement priorities 12.
• Technical disparities between Kuwait’s older Hornets and Malaysia’s existing upgraded F/A-18D fleet 26.
• Logistical and financial hurdles in upgrading and integrating the older aircraft 27.

Technical and Operational Challenges

Outdated Systems and Upgrade Costs

Kuwait’s F/A-18C/D Hornets are equipped with older systems, including the AN/APG-65 radar and SCS25XK software, compared to Malaysia’s F/A-18Ds, which feature the more advanced AN/APG-73 radar and SCS29C software with Link 16 datalinks 26. Upgrading each Kuwaiti jet to match Malaysia’s standards was estimated to cost up to $4 million per aircraft, requiring significant time and resources 27.

Structural and Maintenance Concerns

Although the Kuwaiti jets had relatively low flight hours (1,500–3,000), they are over 30 years old and potentially structurally fatigued. Restoring them to acceptable service standards would have involved costly repairs and modifications 26.

Integration Challenges

Integrating the older jets into the RMAF’s existing fleet would have posed significant logistical challenges, including:

• Training for maintenance and operations.
• Supply chain adjustments for spare parts.
• Downtime during retrofitting and upgrades 26.

Financial and Strategic Considerations

Budget Constraints

Malaysia’s defense budget is limited, and investing in the Kuwaiti Hornets would have diverted funds from more urgent modernization priorities, such as the CAP55 modernization plan 27. Critics argued that the acquisition offered little return on investment (ROI), as the jets would likely be retired soon after integration 26.

Focus on Future-Proof Platforms

The cancellation allows Malaysia to reallocate resources toward acquiring more modern and sustainable platforms 25. Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin emphasized the goal of completely renewing the RMAF’s fighter fleet by 2040, with a focus on fifth-generation stealth fighters 58.

Regional Security Dynamics

Malaysia’s decision is influenced by the rapid military modernization of neighboring countries, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, in response to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Acquiring outdated aircraft would not adequately address these evolving security challenges 8.

The Crash That Highlighted Fleet Challenges

On August 21, 2025, an RMAF F/A-18D crashed during a night training exercise at Kuantan Air Base, marking the first total loss of a Hornet in Malaysian service. Both pilots ejected safely, but the incident underscored the aging nature of the Hornet fleet and the need for modernization 29. This event likely accelerated the decision to cancel the Kuwaiti deal and focus on newer alternatives 7.

Alternative Modernization Plans

With the Kuwaiti Hornet deal canceled, Malaysia is now exploring several options for fleet modernization:

Fifth-Generation Fighters

Malaysia is considering advanced stealth fighters, including:

• Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (U.S.): Offers cutting-edge stealth and interoperability with Western allies but comes with high sustainment costs and political constraints 58.
• Dassault Rafale F4 (France): Known for its versatility and open architecture, making it a strong contender 58.
• Sukhoi Su-57E “Felon” (Russia): Provides high maneuverability but risks U.S. sanctions and interoperability issues with existing Western platforms 58.

Other Advanced Options

• Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” (China): Asia’s first operational stealth fighter, but procurement would tilt Malaysia’s alignment toward Beijing 5.
• KAI KF-21 “Boramae” (South Korea): A cost-effective 4.5-generation fighter with a roadmap to fifth-generation capabilities 5.
• Türkiye KAAN: A developmental fifth-generation fighter offering industrial collaboration, but operational maturity is expected only by the 2030s 5.

Interim Solutions

Malaysia may also consider interim solutions to bridge the capability gap until newer aircraft are acquired. These could include additional upgrades to the existing Hornet fleet or the acquisition of other fourth-generation platforms 58.

Geopolitical Implications

Malaysia’s decision reflects its broader strategic balancing act. While seeking to enhance its defense capabilities, Malaysia must navigate:

• Relations with the U.S.: Choosing U.S. equipment like the F-35 would strengthen ties but may involve political conditions.
• Relations with China: Opting for Chinese equipment could align Malaysia closer to Beijing but risk regional tensions.
• Regional Partnerships: Malaysia may leverage defense collaborations with countries like France, South Korea, and Türkiye to diversify its options 58.

Timeline and Implementation

Malaysia’s modernization timeline is likely to unfold as follows:

• 2025-2026: Final evaluations and decisions on alternative platforms.
• 2027-2030: Delivery of first new aircraft.
• 2030-2040: Phased retirement of older fleets and full integration of new platforms 58.

Malaysia’s cancellation of the Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet acquisition marks a pragmatic shift toward long-term defense planning. By prioritizing modern, sustainable platforms over short-term fixes, Malaysia aims to build a future-proof air force capable of addressing evolving regional security challenges. The decision underscores the importance of strategic foresight and financial prudence in defense procurement, setting the stage for a more robust and capable Royal Malaysian Air Force by 2040.