KUALA LUMPUR: Talks are well underway between Malaysia and Kuwait for the procurement of the latter's F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said this was one of the topics discussed during today's visit from Kuwaiti ambassador to Malaysia, Rashed Mohammed Rashed Alsaleh.
"Among the matters discussed was the country's interest in acquiring F/A-18 legacy Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) after the KAF receives its new Super Hornets.
"The meeting also discussed military-to-military cooperation, defence industry collaboration, and the conflict in Gaza," he said in a Facebook post.
Khaled also said he was pleased to see positive progress in the bilateral and defence relations between the two countries.
"Malaysia hopes that the defence relationship between the two countries will continue to improve, bringing benefits to both countries," he said.
Khaled added that the defence cooperation between the two countries will continue to be strengthened through a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding.
Also present at the meeting were RMAF chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, and Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud.
Currently, Malaysia operates eight Boeing F/A-18D Hornets from the Butterworth air base.
The aircraft have been in service with the RMAF for more than 25 years and recently underwent a Service Life Extension Programme and Mid-Life Upgrade.
Last Saturday, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari had said the acquisition of F/A-18 fighter jets from Kuwait depends on the assessment report from the RMAF's technical team.