KUALA LUMPUR: Fifth-generation (5G) jets from France, the United States or Russia will be considered for procurement as part of efforts to replace Malaysia’s current jets by 2040, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said this would be considered if the delivery of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait takes too long.
“The 5G jets, be it from France, the United States or Russia can be considered, although it will take a long evaluation period.
“We aim to replace our current jets by 2040,” he said when winding up debates on the 13th Malaysia Plan on Wednesday (Aug 20).
He added that the ministry is not ruling out efforts to ensure all 18 of Malaysia’s Sukhoi fighter jets are operational by 2030.
Khaled explained that the procurement of the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait is only a stopgap measure as part of efforts to procure new jets by 2040.
He said discussions were held with Kuwait, adding that the United States, which is the supplying country, has no objections towards this procurement.
Any procurement involving defence assets, including jets, must obtain approval from the supplying country, he explained.
“We will still have to undergo several processes, where members of our Air Force team will evaluate these jets in terms of preparedness, next month.
“We will also only be able to receive these jets once Kuwait receives their new jets from the United States,” he said, adding that there is still no set date on when this will take place.
The minister was responding to a question by Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (IND-Tanjong Karang), who wanted to know about the status of procuring F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait.
