JOHOR BARU: Malaysia is weighing its options following the long-delayed acquisition of refurbished F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic).
The Defence Minister said delivery was delayed as Kuwait is also waiting for its replacement fighter jets that it bought from the United States.
“I was told that there will be more delays for the fighter jets from the United States, and Kuwait can only hand over the F/A-18 to us after receiving their jets.
“They cannot give the F/A-18 to us until they receive the fighter jets as they also have to ensure their country’s safety.
“However, we cannot be waiting without knowing when the jets would arrive. So, we need to also look at other options,” he said at a press conference after attending the BHPetrol zakat distribution ceremony in Pasir Gudang yesterday.
Mohamed Khaled said the ministry will also weigh the cost versus benefit factor and delivery duration of other options.
“If the delivery timeline of these options is around 2028 or 2029, then it may not be worth it as the benefit would have been gone by then.
“Luckily, we will be getting our 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries in 2027 that could replace our Hawk fighter jets once their operation ends.
“However, they will not be enough and we still need to get multi role combat aircraft,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled, who is also Umno vice-president, said Barisan Nasional’s decision not to work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming Sabah state election does not mean that there will not be any collaboration in the future.
“Although Barisan is contesting the election without GRS, and only with Pakatan Harapan, we believe that cooperation is still possible, even after the election.
“There are many ways to work together. Cooperation can take many forms and does not necessarily have to be before elections.
“Each party has its own approach, and just because we are not working together does not mean we are enemies,” he said.
On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced Barisan’s and Sabah Umno’s final decision not to work with GRS in the state election, which is expected in November, while confirming the status quo for the Barisan-Pakatan partnership in Sabah.
