SHAH ALAM: National news agency, Bernama reported yesterday that a RMAF delegation is scheduled to visit Kuwait next month to discuss the procurement of the country’s fleet of Boeing F/A-18 Hornets. It quoted RMAF chief TS Asghar Khan as saying that the Kuwaiti Air Force as having thirty-nine single seat and twin-seat Hornets and the discussions will concentrate on how many airframes could be transferred to Malaysia.
He also stated that the delay in Kuwait taking delivery of Super Hornets is also affecting the deal with Malaysia. For the full story go here. Previous stories on the Kuwaiti Hornets.
It is interesting to note that the statement on Hornets came out on the same day that news from Kuwait that the country’s emir had dissolved the country’s parliament. The same political imbroglio had also affected previous discussions on the Hornet’s transfer.
Anyhow, Malaysian Defence was told by sources at DSA 2024 that RMAF wants as many airframes and spares from Kuwait if the deal could be finalized. Once the transfer is completed, RMAF hopes to stand up an extra squadron with around twelve single seaters. The location and name plate are still being finalized although the squadron will be primarily meant for air-to-air role.
The twin-seat Kuwaiti Hornets will be amalgamated with the Ds with No. 18 Skuadron increasing the unit numbers from the current eight to twelve airframes. The squadron is meant for the ground attack role with training as the secondary role and will stay at Butterworth airbase.
Interestingly, the transfer of the Kuwaiti Hornets will also influence another RMAF procurement, the Medium Range Air Defence system set to be procured in 2025. I was told that the two SAM systems – the MBDA VL MICA and the Kongsberg NASAMs – are the favourites to meet the requirement.
NASAMs is the logical choice, I am told as the same missiles – AMRAAMs – are used for both the Hornets and the SAM system (the latest variant could also fire the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AMRAAM-ER missiles). The MICA already selected for the LCS, is unfortunately not integrated on the Hornets. The last time we bought AMRAAMs was back in 2015, ten of them and 2011 we bought AIM-9X.
— Malaysian Defence.
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (100)
Slowly but surely, good effort, grab what we can, may there will be the light at the end of the tunnel.
With 33 airframes to pick from, a single squadron (12) would be what could be reasonably sustained, given that RMAF is one short with the MiG-29 retirement. I thought they might have wanted to make up to 18 available.
Nice! But we still need Uncle Sam's approval for the transfer right? So let's hope the Hornet deal materializes with NASAMs guarding our skies
the fact that they are going there meant that the approval is already given. Both countries cannot even talk each other on such transfer if the approval is not given already.
"Interestingly, the transfer of the Kuwaiti Hornets also has an effect on another RMAF procurement"
Meaning delay?
From what i understand from multiple sources so far on this matter
- KAF has 39 legacy hornets. TUDM wants to take 33 of them. With that, TUDM will have a total of 41 hornets. With only 24 to be operational, that means we will have 17 hornets as spares/attrition reserves. With cannibalising, probably we don't have to spend much for spare parts to sustain the fleet.
- If getting the KAF hornets is successful, TUDM will be using the hornets up to 2040, at the time probably will be the last user of the legacy hornets.
- 18 Skuadron will fly 12 D models. That means additional 4 D model to be added to the squadron. Another squadron will be re-established to fly 12 C Single seat models. Originally this is supposed to be the 17 Skuadron, but latest info seems to point that 17 Skuadron now will be the first FA-50 squadron.
- The available fighter squadron plate numbers are the 9 Skuadron (formerly flying Tebuan, Skyhawks and Hawks) and 19 Skuadron (formerly flying MiGs)
So 16 airframes total plus spares, could it be that they've reduced the original size of 33 airframes due to Kuwaiti air force keeping some as stop gap until their super hornets and typhoons arrive? Well, atleast 12 jets per Sqn is considered complete as opposed to just 8
Anywho, how soon can they be transferred once it's greenlit?
haiqal
baca dan fahami
not just baca dan terjah
I personally feel we should drop the idea of a used hornet and start ordering 2nd batch of FA50 now.Though we may get them for cheap, but maintaining them for the next 15 years will be expensive even with the 17 spare frames. Additional 12 to 24 FA50 would last us even longer plus we will not be the only user.But yes there are penalties in selecting FA50 being lesser speed (Mach 1.8 vs mach 1.5), lower combat range plus lower combat weight
I'm totaly agreed if we can get as many those Kuwaiti jets. RMAF love that beast. They love to uses it. They already master in using it. Plus they also can sustain / major overhaul it in house. Aussie which is ex-legacy Hornet user also have close relation with us. They (Aussie) also have permanent personnel and aircraft squadron located in Butterworth air base plus we are together FPDA members. Perhaps this close relationship will benefit us in this matter (Hornets sustainment). Hornets weapons also fit to be uses by our new F/A-50 Block 20 from South Korea.
incoming new govt in kuwait then election in USA end of 2024, agreed politics can drag this on.