GEMAS: Malaysia is working closely with Kuwait in procuring the latter's F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said they were awaiting Kuwait's response.
"From a technical standpoint, we find that the Kuwaiti Hornet fighter jets are highly suitable for our needs. We have already begun talks with our counterparts.
"We are engaging with the relevant parties on this matter," he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Army's annual Firepower Training 2024 (LKT 2024) exercise at Syed Sirajuddin Camp, here.
When asked about the timeline of the decision regarding the procurement of the Hornet, Khaled said that the matter was not that simple.
Previously it was reported that talks were 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).
In a meeting between the Kuwaiti ambassador to Malaysia, Rashed Mohammed Rashed Alsaleh and Khaled, he had said the procurement of the aircraft was one of the topics discussed.
Currently, the RMAF operates eight Boeing F/A-18D Hornets from the Butterworth air base. The aircraft has been in service with the RMAF for more than 25 years and recently underwent an upgrade.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari had also said the acquisition of F/A-18 fighter jets from Kuwait would depend on the assessment report from the RMAF's technical team.