SERI ISKANDAR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is hoping that Kuwait will consider a request to sell its F/A-18C/D 'legacy' Hornet strike fighters to the Malaysian Armed Forces.
He said Malaysia is interested in the acquisition and it has hedl discussions with Kuwait as well as deployed a technical team to assess the aircraft in June.
"We are in the process and hope the Kuwaiti government will consider our request. We have not submitted it formally, but they are aware because we have sent our team to evaluate the aircraft.
"We found that it is suitable for our use.
"It aligns with our plans to have air force assets capable of supporting operations and addressing the challenges we face within our country today," he said after officiating the Parit Umno division meeting here today.
In June, a technical team from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) visited Kuwait to discuss matters related to the procurement.
The New Straits Times had quoted an expert on Friday, who backed the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) plan to acquire F/A-18C/D Hornets from its Kuwaiti counterpart by 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.
Mizan said Malaysian could not only rely on the 18 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50M fighter lead-in trainers from South Korea, which have not been delivered.
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.
Meanwhile, Khaled also said there are ongoing plans to acquire new assets, such as helicopters, depending on the nation's financial situation.
"The Finance Ministry is considering these matters.
"With the region becoming increasingly dynamic and conflicts on the rise, Malaysia needs to ensure its preparedness with assets.
"... and also our forces, so we can maintain peace and sovereignty. Not for attack but to safeguard our sovereignty and national defense," he said.
He was addressing inquiries regarding RMAF's previous decision to lease Leonardo AW 139 helicopters to replace the decommissioned Sikorsky S-61 Nuri and to reduce dependence on the EC 725AP models.