Malaysia eyes fifth generation fighter alternatives as Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet delivery stalls
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On 19 August, 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) announced to the Parliament during the 13th Malaysia Plan winding-up, confirmed by The Vibes, the potential acquisition of fifth-generation fighter aircraft from France, the United States, and Russia due to prolonged delays in finalizing the transfer of used F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait. The delay has pushed Malaysian defense authorities to consider long-term alternatives to modernize the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), with an acquisition target timeline set for 2040.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Malaysia is reconsidering its airpower strategy due to prolonged delays in acquiring used F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait. The Royal Malaysian Air Force is now evaluating fifth-generation fighter jets from France, the United States, and Russia, including the Rafale, F-35, and Su-57 (Picture source: DSA).
Malaysia began pursuing the acquisition of Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornets in mid-2024 after a technical evaluation by the RMAF, with momentum building following Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s official visit to Kuwait in October. Kuwait agreed in principle to transfer 30 to 33 aircraft, pending its own fighter replacements. Originally delivered via U.S. FMS in the early 1990s, the Kuwaiti Hornets remain operational and well-maintained, offering Malaysia a cost-effective interim solution while its long-term MRCA program, scheduled for 2040, remains in development. The deal would strengthen the RMAF’s reduced combat fleet without major infrastructure changes, as it already operates the F/A-18D variant.
Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that while a technical delegation is expected to travel to Kuwait next month to inspect the condition of the former Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18C/D aircraft, the uncertainty surrounding their transfer, especially Kuwait’s dependency on receiving its own new American-made fighter jets, has triggered a reassessment of Malaysia’s airpower strategy. The Minister emphasized that although the Hornet deal remains under discussion, long-term planning is already underway for the selection of next-generation combat aircraft, with detailed recommendations expected by 2033 or 2034.
The delivery of the Kuwaiti Hornets has been delayed primarily due to Washington’s slow-paced Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval process. The United States has not yet cleared Kuwait’s request for replacement aircraft, specifically the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons ordered to replenish its aging fleet. As a result, Kuwait cannot proceed with the handover of its legacy F/A-18C/Ds to Malaysia without compromising its own operational readiness. The situation is further complicated by the requirement for U.S. end-user reauthorization, logistics chain restructuring, and inspections to ensure airworthiness for export, all of which remain stalled.
As Malaysia reevaluates its airpower roadmap, three fifth-generation fighter aircraft stand as frontrunners: France’s Dassault Rafale F4, the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, and Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon. The Rafale F4 offers multirole versatility, superior electronic warfare systems, and an open architecture that facilitates localized upgrades, making it a reliable yet non-stealth option. The F-35A, while costlier, provides true fifth-generation capabilities with advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare integration, offering unmatched interoperability with Western allies. Meanwhile, the Su-57 combines high-speed maneuverability, long-range weaponry, and reduced radar cross-section, though questions remain about its limited production, export restrictions under Western sanctions, and battlefield performance. Each platform offers different trade-offs in terms of survivability, alliance politics, sustainment, and industrial cooperation.
The broader regional context reinforces the urgency of Malaysia’s defense modernization. Southeast Asia is experiencing accelerated militarization, with neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines upgrading their air and naval forces in response to China’s assertive activities in the South China Sea. Malaysia’s geopolitical positioning is uniquely complex, it must balance a non-aligned stance while safeguarding national sovereignty over contested maritime zones, particularly around the Spratly Islands. At the same time, Malaysia seeks to deepen defense ties with key partners such as the United States, Australia, and France through training, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing, without alienating China, a major trading partner. Its airpower capability remains central to this strategic balancing act, underscoring the critical importance of timely fighter acquisitions.
Malaysia’s current fighter inventory primarily consists of Russian MiG-29s, Su-30MKMs, and U.S.-made F/A-18D Hornets, some of which are aging and costly to maintain. A fifth-generation fleet would offer significant upgrades in stealth, sensor fusion, and multirole capabilities, positioning the RMAF more competitively amid growing regional tensions and evolving aerial threats.
As the Hornet deal continues to hang in the balance, Malaysia appears to be hedging its bets by keeping multiple options open. The next decade will likely be decisive in shaping the future of its air combat capabilities, marking a pivotal transition from legacy platforms to next-generation deterrence.
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On 19 August, 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) announced to the Parliament during the 13th Malaysia Plan winding-up, confirmed by The Vibes, the potential acquisition of fifth-generation fighter aircraft from France, the United States, and Russia due to prolonged delays in finalizing the transfer of used F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait. The delay has pushed Malaysian defense authorities to consider long-term alternatives to modernize the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), with an acquisition target timeline set for 2040.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Malaysia is reconsidering its airpower strategy due to prolonged delays in acquiring used F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait. The Royal Malaysian Air Force is now evaluating fifth-generation fighter jets from France, the United States, and Russia, including the Rafale, F-35, and Su-57 (Picture source: DSA).
Malaysia began pursuing the acquisition of Kuwait’s F/A-18 Hornets in mid-2024 after a technical evaluation by the RMAF, with momentum building following Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s official visit to Kuwait in October. Kuwait agreed in principle to transfer 30 to 33 aircraft, pending its own fighter replacements. Originally delivered via U.S. FMS in the early 1990s, the Kuwaiti Hornets remain operational and well-maintained, offering Malaysia a cost-effective interim solution while its long-term MRCA program, scheduled for 2040, remains in development. The deal would strengthen the RMAF’s reduced combat fleet without major infrastructure changes, as it already operates the F/A-18D variant.
Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that while a technical delegation is expected to travel to Kuwait next month to inspect the condition of the former Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18C/D aircraft, the uncertainty surrounding their transfer, especially Kuwait’s dependency on receiving its own new American-made fighter jets, has triggered a reassessment of Malaysia’s airpower strategy. The Minister emphasized that although the Hornet deal remains under discussion, long-term planning is already underway for the selection of next-generation combat aircraft, with detailed recommendations expected by 2033 or 2034.
The delivery of the Kuwaiti Hornets has been delayed primarily due to Washington’s slow-paced Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval process. The United States has not yet cleared Kuwait’s request for replacement aircraft, specifically the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons ordered to replenish its aging fleet. As a result, Kuwait cannot proceed with the handover of its legacy F/A-18C/Ds to Malaysia without compromising its own operational readiness. The situation is further complicated by the requirement for U.S. end-user reauthorization, logistics chain restructuring, and inspections to ensure airworthiness for export, all of which remain stalled.
As Malaysia reevaluates its airpower roadmap, three fifth-generation fighter aircraft stand as frontrunners: France’s Dassault Rafale F4, the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, and Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon. The Rafale F4 offers multirole versatility, superior electronic warfare systems, and an open architecture that facilitates localized upgrades, making it a reliable yet non-stealth option. The F-35A, while costlier, provides true fifth-generation capabilities with advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare integration, offering unmatched interoperability with Western allies. Meanwhile, the Su-57 combines high-speed maneuverability, long-range weaponry, and reduced radar cross-section, though questions remain about its limited production, export restrictions under Western sanctions, and battlefield performance. Each platform offers different trade-offs in terms of survivability, alliance politics, sustainment, and industrial cooperation.
The broader regional context reinforces the urgency of Malaysia’s defense modernization. Southeast Asia is experiencing accelerated militarization, with neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines upgrading their air and naval forces in response to China’s assertive activities in the South China Sea. Malaysia’s geopolitical positioning is uniquely complex, it must balance a non-aligned stance while safeguarding national sovereignty over contested maritime zones, particularly around the Spratly Islands. At the same time, Malaysia seeks to deepen defense ties with key partners such as the United States, Australia, and France through training, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing, without alienating China, a major trading partner. Its airpower capability remains central to this strategic balancing act, underscoring the critical importance of timely fighter acquisitions.
Malaysia’s current fighter inventory primarily consists of Russian MiG-29s, Su-30MKMs, and U.S.-made F/A-18D Hornets, some of which are aging and costly to maintain. A fifth-generation fleet would offer significant upgrades in stealth, sensor fusion, and multirole capabilities, positioning the RMAF more competitively amid growing regional tensions and evolving aerial threats.
As the Hornet deal continues to hang in the balance, Malaysia appears to be hedging its bets by keeping multiple options open. The next decade will likely be decisive in shaping the future of its air combat capabilities, marking a pivotal transition from legacy platforms to next-generation deterrence.
