Mindef yet to receive answer from Kuwait on buying used fighter jets: Tok Mat

KUALA LUMPUR – The Defence Ministry’s application to procure Kuwait’s used F/A-18C/D fighter jets has yet to receive any positive answer from the country.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the current and former leaders had sent applications for the procurement to Kuwait three times, but the ministry has yet to receive any reply.

“The proposal to procure the used F/A-18C/D fighter jets from Kuwait is still at the evaluation stage. However, since the Kuwait government’s administration and cabinet has changed five times, there is no specific authority to make a decision.

“There has been no commitment from Kuwait to say whether they agree to the request from Malaysia to purchase the multi-role combat aircraft,” he said when winding up the policy-level debate of the Supply Bill 2023 at Dewan Rakyat, today.

According to Hasan, though used, the refurbished fighter jets are in good condition with relatively low flight hours, and would definitely increase the air force’s level of preparedness and capability to safeguard the country’s airspace.

Meanwhile, speaking of an increased allocation of RM1.4 billion to the Defence Ministry in Budget 2023, Hasan said the allocation was not related to the littoral combat ships (LCS) issue.

“The additional allocation in the budget is not involved in the procurement of the LCS alone. The ministry is currently studying the LCS project to determine if it can be continued. 

“After the findings, a memorandum will be prepared to be submitted to the cabinet,” he said.

He added that the Defence Ministry would discuss it with the economy and finance ministries before presenting it to the cabinet. – Bernama, March 8, 2023