MP: Why buy used Kuwaiti jets, can they match Singapore's?

PARLIAMENT | Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (IND-Tanjong Karang) today questioned the Defence Ministry’s plan to purchase used F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait.

He said the old aircraft would be no match for neighbouring Singapore’s state-of-the-art jets.

“Let me ask the defence minister, how many fighter jets we have are still on active duty?

“And what is the logic for us to buy some 35 units of used F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait?

“Would they be able to match the F-35A jets (that Singapore) is getting?” Zulkafperi said in his speech when debating the 2025 Budget Bill in the Dewan Rakyat.

The former army captain was referring to recent news reports in which Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin indicated his ministry would procure Kuwait’s Hornet fighter jets.

In his speech today, Zulkafperi advocated for the country to improve its air defence system, especially since Singapore is already upgrading its fighter jet fleet.

He said the island republic would be the only country in the region with F-35A jets, which puts it far ahead in terms of military assets.

Acquiring a comprehensive air defence system is not a choice for Malaysia, but it is a must instead, he stressed.

“We cannot be complacent. A major reform of the country’s defence system must be carried out quickly. The defence white paper must be strengthened with better strategies, especially in terms of air defence.

“Firstly, we need to improve our satellite capabilities to have control of our airspace. Secondly, we need to introduce an air defence system, perhaps, if it’s not too much for me to suggest, something like Israel’s Iron Dome.

“We also need to increase our fleet of fighter jets and equip our country with guided missile systems that are capable of defending any potential attack,” Zulkafperi said.

Far behind in capabilities

Earlier this year, Singapore was reported to be one of four countries in the Indo-Pacific region to acquire F-35s, along with Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

It is a US fifth-generation fighter featuring stealth characteristics, improved sensors, and the ability to share and receive sensor data with other platforms in order to build a comprehensive view of the battlefield. The F-35A first entered US Air Force service in 2015.

In contrast, the F/A-18 Hornet are considered fourth-generation fighters that first entered US service in 1983 and has since been replaced by the larger “Super Hornet” variant and the stealthy F-35.

In 2021, it was reported that during military exercises, the F-35 scored a kill ratio as high as 20-to-1 against older jets while simultaneously enhancing the situational awareness of friendly jets nearby.

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