KUALA LUMPUR: An expert has backed the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) plan to acquire F/A-18C/D Hornets from its Kuwaiti counterpart, saying the country is in "dire need" of the strike fighters.
National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) defence and security expert Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam said the US-made F/A-18 Hornets would boost the RMAF's capabilities.
He said this was especially important in the South China Sea, where greater militarisation was taking place.
"We cannot just rely on the 18 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50M fighter lead-in trainers from South Korea, which have not been delivered yet," he told the New Straits Times.
Malaysia recently purchased the FA-50Ms to replace the RMAF's fleet of BAE Hawk 208/108 light fighters and lead-in fighter trainers, though concerns remain over the replacement for the Russian-made Mikoyan MiG-29N Fulcrums, which were retired seven years ago.
Plans to replace the MiG-29Ns, optimised for the air defence role, were reportedly put on hold due to budgetary constraints, leaving the RMAF with eight F/A-18D Hornets, and 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs in its MRCA fleet.
The RMAF's Hornets, based at RMAF Butterworth airbase, have been in service for over 25 years and recently underwent a Service Life Extension Programme and Mid-Life Upgrades.
"We are in dire need of assets to safeguard our country's safety and sovereignty," said Mizan, adding that the F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait could complement RMAF's existing fleet.
"This is a good interim measure while Malaysia waits for its new MRCA. There is ample supply of parts, and sufficient support for the Hornets."
Mizan said he hopes Malaysia will acquire the fighter jets from Kuwait.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, in a meeting with Kuwaiti ambassador to Malaysia, Rashed Mohammed Rashed Alsaleh, discussed the country's interest in procuring the Hornets.
Last month, Air Force chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan said he was hopeful of acquiring Kuwait's F/A-18 Hornets despite delays experienced by the Middle Eastern country in receiving their fleet of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets that will replace their C/Ds.
Meanwhile, security and defence analyst, Datuk Dr Ruhanie Ahmad said any defence-related procurement must be transparent and evaluated by its end user.
"The purchase must not become a burden to the RMAF."
The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engined, supersonic, all-weather, multirole combat aircraft designed for both air-to-air, and air-to-ground missions developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and Northrop.
It first flew in 1978 and entered service with the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the early 1980s and is known for its versatility, agility, and advanced avionics.
The F/A-18 has been used in numerous conflicts, and currently, most air forces operate the C/D variant, with the more powerful General Electric F-404-402 Enhanced Performance Engines (EPEs). The more advanced F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, with a lower radar cross-section (RCS) signature, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, is 25 per cent larger than the C/D 'legacy' Hornets. The Super Hornet entered service in 1999.
The aircraft can carry a wide range of weapons, including missiles, bombs, and is armed with a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon, making it a key asset in modern military operations.