RMAF team to inspect Kuwait's F/A-18 hornets in September
RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris said preparations had been made for the evaluation visit as they had received approval from the United States, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), for third-party transfer documentation.
"So far, I do not see any issues because we have received approval for the documentation transfer. We have also prepared a team to go there.
"They have given us a window to come and inspect the aircraft in September. From that time, the team will need a few weeks, less than a month, to go through the documents because there are things we need to look at. As everyone knows, these are used aircraft," he said at a press conference after his inaugural command to the RMAF.
Norazlan said the assessment was necessary to ensure the RMAF can maintain the aircraft in the long run.
"We really need to examine many aspects. Buying is one thing, but maintaining it in the future is another.
"There is no point in buying in large quantities if we cannot maintain them because we need these aircraft for our operations," he said.
On the delivery timeline of the Kuwaiti Hornets, Norazlan said it would depend on Kuwait's own aircraft acquisition.
"The delivery timeline is very much subject to Kuwait's acquisition of the F/A-18E and F aircraft. From what I understand, if they receive four, they will hand over four to us. If they receive eight, they will hand over eight," he said.
He said that timing remained a key factor.
"If it takes five, six, seven years, then maybe it is no longer viable.
"For now, our current fighter replacement plan remains relevant for the next 10 to 15 years. The actual replacement will happen after that. Meanwhile, to fill the gap, acquiring the Kuwaiti Hornets is suitable, subject to the evaluation by our team later," he said.
Previously, it was reported that Malaysia's bid to acquire F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait had moved a step closer to reality following approval from the United States.
Then RMAF chief General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan confirmed that Washington had granted the necessary clearance for the deal.
The long-anticipated deal involves around 30 Hornets, a mix of single-seat F/A-18Cs and twin-seat F/A-18Ds, currently in service with the Kuwaiti Air Force.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had previously said the aircraft, originally acquired by Kuwait in the 1990s, are generally in good condition.
During his visit to Kuwait last October, Mohamed Khaled had said the Gulf nation expressed no objections to Malaysia's request to procure its Hornet jets.
Malaysia currently operates eight F/A-18D Hornets and 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs in its combat aircraft arsenal.
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