Latest news with #KuwaitiAirForce
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
RMAF team to inspect Kuwait's F/A-18 hornets in September
SHAH ALAM: A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) team will travel to Kuwait in September to inspect F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and related documentation offered by the country. RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris said preparations had been made for the evaluation visit as they had received approval from the United States, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), for third-party transfer documentation. "So far, I do not see any issues because we have received approval for the documentation transfer. We have also prepared a team to go there. "They have given us a window to come and inspect the aircraft in September. From that time, the team will need a few weeks, less than a month, to go through the documents because there are things we need to look at. As everyone knows, these are used aircraft," he said at a press conference after his inaugural command to the RMAF. Norazlan said the assessment was necessary to ensure the RMAF can maintain the aircraft in the long run. "We really need to examine many aspects. Buying is one thing, but maintaining it in the future is another. "There is no point in buying in large quantities if we cannot maintain them because we need these aircraft for our operations," he said. On the delivery timeline of the Kuwaiti Hornets, Norazlan said it would depend on Kuwait's own aircraft acquisition. "The delivery timeline is very much subject to Kuwait's acquisition of the F/A-18E and F aircraft. From what I understand, if they receive four, they will hand over four to us. If they receive eight, they will hand over eight," he said. He said that timing remained a key factor. "If it takes five, six, seven years, then maybe it is no longer viable. "For now, our current fighter replacement plan remains relevant for the next 10 to 15 years. The actual replacement will happen after that. Meanwhile, to fill the gap, acquiring the Kuwaiti Hornets is suitable, subject to the evaluation by our team later," he said. Previously, it was reported that Malaysia's bid to acquire F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait had moved a step closer to reality following approval from the United States. Then RMAF chief General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan confirmed that Washington had granted the necessary clearance for the deal. The long-anticipated deal involves around 30 Hornets, a mix of single-seat F/A-18Cs and twin-seat F/A-18Ds, currently in service with the Kuwaiti Air Force. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had previously said the aircraft, originally acquired by Kuwait in the 1990s, are generally in good condition. During his visit to Kuwait last October, Mohamed Khaled had said the Gulf nation expressed no objections to Malaysia's request to procure its Hornet jets. Malaysia currently operates eight F/A-18D Hornets and 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs in its combat aircraft arsenal.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
RMAF to assess 38 Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornets in September
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is set to dispatch a technical team to Kuwait in September to inspect 38 F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fighter jets offered to Malaysia. RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris confirmed that the mission has received official approval from the United States, the aircraft's country of origin, granting access to critical documentation and maintenance records. 'The team will evaluate the jets on-site over two to three weeks. These are used aircraft, so we must assess long-term viability, particularly maintenance requirements. There's no point in acquiring a large fleet if we can't maintain them for operational readiness,' he said during a press briefing at the Subang Air Base. The delivery schedule hinges on the Kuwaiti Air Force's transition to its new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. 'If they receive four new jets, four Legacy aircraft will be released to us, and so on,' he explained. Senior RMAF officials, including Deputy Chief Lt Gen Datuk Nur Hafis Abdul Karim and Air Operations Commander Lt Gen Datuk Masro Kaliwon, were present at the event. – Bernama
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
RMAF to assess 38 Legacy Hornet jets in Kuwait in September
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will send a technical team to Kuwait in September to assess 38 F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fighter jets offered to Malaysia. RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris ( pic ) said that the mission received official approval from the United States, the country of origin of the aircraft, which then allowed access to documentation and maintenance records. "The team will evaluate the jets on-site over two to three weeks. These are used aircraft, so we must assess long-term viability, particularly maintenance requirements. "There's no point in acquiring a large fleet if we can't maintain them for operational readiness,' he told reporters after delivering his inaugural address as RMAF Chief at the Subang Air Base on Wednesday (July 23). He added that delivery timelines would depend on when the Kuwaiti Air Force receives its new fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. "If they receive four new jets, four Legacy aircraft will be released to us, and so on,' he said. Also present were RMAF Deputy Chief Lt Gen Datuk Nur Hafis Abdul Karim, Air Operations Commander Lt Gen Datuk Masro Kaliwon, Air Education and Training Commander Lt Gen Datuk Muhammad Tarminzi Mustapha and Air Support Commander Maj Gen Ahmad Khusairi Ahmad Fadhli. - Bernama
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
RMAF to assess 38 Legacy Hornet jets in Kuwait this September, says chief
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will send a technical team to Kuwait in September to assess 38 F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fighter jets offered to Malaysia. RMAF Chief General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris said that the mission received official approval from the United States, the country of origin of the aircraft, which then allowed access to documentation and maintenance records. 'The team will evaluate the jets on-site over two to three weeks. These are used aircraft, so we must assess long-term viability, particularly maintenance requirements. 'There's no point in acquiring a large fleet if we can't maintain them for operational readiness,' he told reporters after delivering his inaugural address as RMAF Chief at the Subang Air Base today. He added that delivery timelines would depend on when the Kuwaiti Air Force receives its new fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. 'If they receive four new jets, four Legacy aircraft will be released to us, and so on,' he said. Also present were RMAF Deputy Chief Lt Gen Datuk Nur Hafis Abdul Karim, Air Operations Commander Lt Gen Datuk Masro Kaliwon, Air Education and Training Commander Lt Gen Datuk Muhammad Tarminzi Mustapha and Air Support Commander Maj Gen Ahmad Khusairi Ahmad Fadhli. — Bernama
Arab News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Kuwait incorporates Bayraktar TB2 combat drone into armed forces
LONDON: Kuwaiti armed forces incorporated the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone into their air combat fleet during a ceremony at Salem Al-Sabah Air Base on Thursday. Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah was joined by Major General Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, deputy chief of staff of the Kuwaiti Army, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Al-Hamdan, the Air Force commander, as well as the commander of the Salem Al-Sabah Air Base and several air force officers. In 2023, Kuwait signed a $367-million contract with Turkish defense firm Baykar to purchase its TB2 drones, which have been used in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, Libya and Azerbaijan. Sheikh Abdullah said that integrating drones aligned with Kuwait's leadership vision to enhance military readiness and adopt cutting-edge defense technologies, according to the Kuwait News Agency. The ceremony featured a comprehensive technical presentation showcasing TB2 drone's surveillance, reconnaissance and air-support capabilities. In February, pilots and shooters from the Kuwaiti air force trained and tested the Bayraktar TB2 at the Baykar company training center in the Kisah region of Turkiye. The defense minister emphasized the need to invest in local expertise and train personnel to operate advanced systems for protecting Kuwait's airspace, borders and resources. The incorporation of TB2 marked a significant step in Kuwait's defense modernization efforts, he added.
