JOHOR BARU: The Defence Ministry will consider alternative options if a decision to purchase F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) cannot be finalised.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was because KAF had yet to decide on handing over the aircraft, as it was still awaiting delivery of new jets ordered from the United States.
“If we proceed with the purchase, Kuwait can only hand them over once they receive their new jets.
“If they do not get them, they cannot hand them over; if they hand them over, they will be left without jets for their own national security and defence.
“The question is, how long can we wait for our own needs?
“We cannot wait without doing anything, so we must think of other options,” he said at a press conference after the BHPetrol Wakalah Zakat Contribution Presentation Programme in Pasir Gudang today.
Khaled, who is also Kota Tinggi member of parliament, said the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) would send a team to assess the aircraft and associated costs.
“We will first go and see the aircraft available, whether it is necessary or not to continue waiting, and whether other costs will be involved,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khaled said the FA-50M aircraft from South Korea, scheduled to arrive in 2027, was expected to meet near-term air defence needs.
“Fortunately, in 2027 we will receive the FA-50Ms we ordered from KAI (Korea Aerospace Industry).
“At the very least, when our light combat aircraft, the Hawk, ceases operations, we will already have replacements.
“However, the FA-50Ms are not sufficient, as there are only 18, and that is why we really need additional aircraft capable of performing multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) functions.
“The FA-50Ms fall under the MRCA category alongside the existing Sukhoi Su-30MKMs.
“We will also look at whether the Sukhois we have can meet other requirements,” he said.
On Aug 26, RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Muhammad Norazlan Aris said the force was studying every aspect before making a final decision on the proposed purchase of second-hand F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait.
He also dismissed claims that the deal had been cancelled, stressing that all considerations were still under evaluation.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
