As Malaysian Deputy Defence Minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz told the Malaysian parliament, his country is keenly interested in the 34 fighter jets being withdrawn by Kuwait, although he admitted that negotiations have not yet started.

He said, however, that Kuwaiti F/A-18s are in good condition and still have hours of flight time. Should they be acquired, he said, Malaysia would keep them in service until 2035 following an upgrade.

Malaysia currently maintains eight F/A-18Ds and 18Su-30MKMs in service. Kuwait‘s acquisition of 34F/A-18s will multiply the country‘s air power. Malaysia‘s initial intention was to acquire two fifteen new fighter aircraft but the cost was high and so it turned to the second-hand solution.