The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) long-awaited acquisition of up to 33 surplus F/A-18C/D Hornets from the Kuwaiti Air Force (KAF) appears to finally be on the cards. But is this still the right move for Malaysia in 2025?
The idea first surfaced in 2017, when Kuwait announced plans to re-equip its fighter fleet with 28 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets (known as “Rhinos”) and a similar number of Tranche 3 Eurofighter Typhoons to replace its legacy Hornets, which were acquired in 1992.
The Rhinos were originally scheduled for delivery in 2021, but the Covid-19 pandemic caused delays. Under the revised timeline, Kuwait is set to receive its Super Hornets in 2026. Twentytwo13 understands that the RMAF will only take delivery of the Kuwaiti legacy Hornets after all the Rhinos have been handed over.
But that depends on several moving parts.
Currently, the US Navy has 76 F/A-18E/Fs on order with Boeing as attrition replacements – aircraft meant to replace lost airframes and sustain fleet strength. These jets are essential for preserving readiness within the US Navy as older aircraft are retired.
In March 2024, Boeing received a US$1.1 billion contract for 17 new-build Block III Super Hornets – five F/A-18Es and 12 F/A-18Fs – under Production Lots 46 and 47, with delivery to US Navy strike fighter squadrons expected between late 2026 and early 2027.
Congress had earlier approved funding for 20 additional Super Hornets in fiscal years 2022 and 2023, but the final contract was delayed by prolonged negotiations over data rights and terms. These aircraft, once contracted, are also scheduled for delivery by 2027.
Because the US Navy’s needs take precedence, any slippage in its contract timeline could further delay Kuwait’s Super Hornet deliveries – and in turn, Malaysia’s acquisition of the legacy Hornets from KAF stocks.
Adding to the complications, squadrons typically require a year to reach initial operational capability (IOC) and another to achieve full operational capability (FOC). If the KAF receives its Super Hornets in 2026, the RMAF is unlikely to see the legacy Hornets before 2027.
Given that the RMAF plans to retire its Hornet fleet between 2032 and 2035, Malaysia would only have about eight years of use from the ex-Kuwaiti jets.
While the Kuwaiti Hornets are relatively low-hour airframes, they still feature the original Hughes AN/APG-65 pulse-Doppler multimode radar – outdated by RMAF standards. The RMAF’s current F/A-18Ds are equipped with the newer Raytheon AN/APG-73 radar sets and have undergone two service-life extension programmes.
In 2011, Boeing was awarded a contract under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme to supply “Engineering Change Proposal 618” (ECP 618) kits for the RMAF Hornets. The work included upgrades such as:
- The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)
- The AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile
- GPS guidance kits for JDAM smart bombs
- Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pods
Initial modifications were carried out in St Louis, Missouri, with subsequent work completed at RMAF Butterworth’s No. 18 Squadron – the “Hornet’s Nest”. The final airframe was upgraded by April 2015.
In 2022, work began on a structural overhaul programme known as LPM12Y to extend the aircraft’s life to 8,500 flight hours. This will be followed by a Mid-Life Update (MLU), involving software updates and avionics replacements. Planned upgrades include improved comms, radar warning receivers, and a Link-16 datalink system.
A priority remains the replacement of the AN/APG-73 radar with a modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar – such as the AN/APG-83 SABR or AN/APG-79v4 – to provide “first look, first shot, first kill” capability. However, this radar upgrade has not materialised due to budget and US Congressional restrictions.
To integrate the ex-Kuwaiti Hornets into the RMAF fleet, significant time and investment would be required to bring them up to the current RMAF ‘29C’ configuration. This is necessary to ensure full interoperability with the RMAF’s night-capable, all-weather, precision-strike Hornets.
Though the Malaysian government has not officially revealed the cost of acquiring the ex-KAF Hornets, defence sources estimate the total deal could exceed RM100 million.
Reports suggest the Kuwaiti government offered the jets at a symbolic price of about US$900,000 (RM4.2 million) per aircraft, putting the base value of the deal at approximately US$28-30 million (RM130-140 million). However, this only covers the aircraft. The full cost – including refurbishment, checks, upgrades, parts, logistics, and crew training – would be far higher.
Despite the seemingly attractive sticker price, several major issues raise questions about the viability of the deal:
1. Structural fatigue
Although low-hour, the airframes are over 30 years old. Years of stress and exposure increase the likelihood of metal fatigue and mechanical failures, raising safety and performance concerns.
2. Expensive upkeep
Legacy jets require frequent and intensive maintenance, which could impose unsustainable costs on the RMAF’s already stretched budget.
3. Outdated tech
These Hornets lack modern sensors, weapons systems, and electronic warfare capabilities. In a high-threat environment, they would be outclassed by newer regional platforms.
4. Resource diversion
Funds allocated for acquiring and upgrading these jets could instead support the RMAF’s broader modernisation efforts, such as investing in next-generation fighters and long-term capability-building.
5. FMS constraints
The acquisition via FMS limits local involvement in maintenance, forcing the RMAF to rely on sole-source third-party MRO providers in the US. This contradicts Malaysia’s defence industry goals of developing local capabilities.
While the Cabinet approved the deal in 2017 as a short-term fix, a defence analyst believes the rationale no longer holds water in today’s context.
“Proceeding with the purchase seven years later diverts precious resources from the RMAF’s strategic planning and long-term modernisation under the CAP55 roadmap,” he said.
“Malaysia should instead invest in newer, more advanced multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) that will remain relevant for the next few decades.”
There are also hidden long-term costs.
As early as 2028, Malaysia could face severe shortages of spares and support systems. The need to engage a sole-source MRO provider in the US will increase costs and deepen foreign dependence.
Ultimately, the acquisition may lead to a scenario where high support costs and logistical delays would ground the entire F/A-18C/D fleet – rendering the exercise not just expensive, but futile.
Given the tight defence budget, looming support constraints, and rapidly evolving regional threats, Malaysia must weigh its options carefully. Acquiring outdated platforms with limited remaining lifespan may offer a short-term capability boost, but at the cost of long-term sustainability and strategic flexibility.
Rather than being tied to legacy platforms that risk becoming a burden, Malaysia would be better served by investing in modern, interoperable systems that strengthen deterrence, support domestic industry, and ensure the RMAF remains combat-ready well into the future.
