The ongoing delays in the delivery of eight F/A-18 "Legacy" Hornet fighter jet aircraft by Kuwait are pushing the Malaysian government to reconsider its acquisition plan. The uncertainty over timing, according to statements by the Malaysian Defence Minister, is driving the country to explore alternative options to bolster its air force.

The news, which emerged at a press conference held in Pasir Gudang, in the State of Johor, was confirmed by the Defence Minister, Mohamed Khaled Nordin. The head of the ministry explained that Malaysia can no longer wait for a defined delivery date and that it is now necessary to explore other solutions that guarantee the best cost-benefit ratio and certain delivery times. Nordin emphasized that Kuwait has constraints related to its national security and cannot hand over the F/A-18 fighters until it has itself received the aircraft that will replace them.

Despite the agreement signed by the government in Kuala Lumpur on 24 February 2023 with Korea Aerospace Industries for 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft (first deliveries starting from October 2026), Malaysian authorities believe these airplanes will not be sufficient to meet the country’s defence needs. The government is therefore seeking multirole combat planes to strengthen its fleet.

At present, the names of the countries or manufacturers being considered for the potential purchase have not been disclosed. The final decision will therefore depend on a thorough evaluation of the available options, with the objective of ensuring Malaysia effective air defence within a reasonable timeframe.

Curiosity: "Legaci" Hornet, the aircraft that does not exist in the official nomenclature...

- F/A-18 Hornet (variants A, B, C, D): this is the original model, developed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop. Entering service in the early 1980s, it was the workhorse of the US Navy and Marine Corps for decades.

- F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: an aircraft completely redesigned by Boeing (after acquiring McDonnell Douglas; the merger was completed on 1st August 1997. This $13.3 billion deal allowed Boeing to acquire McDonnell Douglas’s extensive experience in the military aircraft sector, including the F/A-18 program). Although this variant retains the F/A-18 designation and a similar appearance, it is significantly larger, has more powerful engines and upgraded avionics. It is essentially a new platform.

 - To distinguish between the original model and Boeing’s new Super Hornet, the epithet "Legacy" (meaning "inheritance") was adopted informally to refer to the older models, namely the A, B, C and D variants. This term therefore serves to clearly differentiate them from the "Super Hornet".