The Royal Malaysian Air Force is promoting a program to expand its F/A-18D squadron
which are currently in the process of procuring 33 F/A-18D Hornet fighters from Kuwait that are still in good condition
Deputy Minister of Defense Ikmal Hisham said the aircraft also had lower operating hours, compared to the existing RMAF Hornet aircraft
The RMAF also intended to use F/A-18D fighters until 2035
The Sukhoi Su-30 MKM fighters were also undergoing a service life extension programme
Accordingly, the procurement of F/A-18 fighters is still waiting for discussions between the two countries or at the government-to-government level
If this initiative is successful, it will definitely increase the level of preparedness and capability of the RMAF in safeguarding the country’s space
Kuwait is planning to phase out its existing fleet of Hornet FA-18C and 18D aircraft as it waits for the delivery of the Boeing Super Hornet aircraft
In November 2016 the US State Department approved the sale of up to 40 Super Hornets (32 F/A-18Es and eight F/A-18Fs) for Kuwait, valued at $10.1 billion
The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather jet aircraft that is used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as both a fighter and attack platform
In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense
in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm
shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targets with the same aircraft on the same mission
and breaking all records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability
The F/A-18A and C are single seat aircraft.
The F/A-18B and D are dual-seaters
The B model is used primarily for training, while the D model for attack, tactical air control, forward air control and reconnaissance squadrons
The newest models, the E and F were rolled out at McDonnell Douglas Sept. 17, 1995
The E is a single seat while the F is a two-seater
The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987
incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jamming devices against enemy ordnance
C and D models delivered since 1989 also include an improved night attack capability