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Frequent govt changes led to delay in new fighter jets: Defence Minister | Scoop
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that had Putrajaya made the decision to purchase new aircraft in 2018, the Royal Malaysian Air Force could have received them by 2028. - Scoop file pic, November 7, 2024
News

Frequent govt changes led to delay in new fighter jets: Defence Minister

Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said a 2018 decision could have seen new aircraft in service by 2028

Main Author Image
Arjun Mohanakrishnan
Updated
8:07 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – The frequent changes in federal administrations since the Sheraton Move are among the reasons behind the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) inability to acquire new fighter jets, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (Kota Tinggi – BN).

Speaking to the Dewan Rakyat, Khaled stated said if Putrajaya had decided to purchase new aircraft in 2018, the RMAF could have received them by 2028.

“We must understand that the question of Malaysia purchasing new jets is one that’s been asked since 2018, when we discontinued using our MiG-29 Fulcrums and Northrop F-5Es.

“But because the administration kept changing, there was no decision to buy new planes,” Khaled told the Dewan Rakyat during his winding-up speech on the Supply Bill 2025 at the policy stage.

For context, Pakatan Harapan (PH) came to power in 2018 but was ousted in 2020 during the Sheraton Move, which led to Perikatan Nasional taking control under Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin’s tenure ended in 2021 when Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob assumed the role after several Umno MPs withdrew their support.

In the meantime, the Kota Tinggi MP explained that Putrajaya decided to purchase used F/A-18 Hornets from the Kuwaiti Air Force as a stopgap measure in light of Malaysia’s intention to procure new multi-role combat aircraft by 2040.

He mentioned that while the Kuwaiti Hornets are old, RMAF determined that the fighter jets are well-maintained with low flying hours adding that they are predicted to be operational until 2035.

Further, Kuwait also confirmed that they have in possession 10,000 spare parts available for the legacy Hornets.

Khaled also said that the RMAF hopes to retire its flagship Su-30 MKM Flankers by 2030.

“We have assessed the situation. In terms of operations, training and interoperability, we found the Kuwaiti Hornets suitable,” Khaled added.

Meanwhile, the Defence Minister also confirmed that the United States would have to approve Kuwait’s sale to Malaysia given they are the manufacturing country of those aircraft.

Khaled said that he believes Malaysia’s good relationship with the United States will allow Putrajaya to obtain the consent.

In 2017, the then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that Malaysia was considering purchasing Dassault Rafale jets from France.

However, after Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as leader, the former Langkawi MP in 2019 said that there is no need to replace RMAF’s fleet of ageing Russian aircraft. – November 7, 2024

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