After months of debate on re-equipment of the Tentara Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM, or Royal Malaysian Air Force), the Malaysian Defense Minister confirmed on July 1, 1993 that they would order both MiG-29s and F/A-18s. On December 9, 1993, Malaysia signed a letter of offer and acceptance for eight F/A-18D Hornets. On June 7, 1994, Malaysia announced that they would also order 18 MiG-29 Fulcrums from Russia (16 single-seat MiG-29Ns and two MiG-29NUB two seaters). The Hornets will perform air-to-ground missions, wheeas the MiGs will perform the air-to-air mission.
The TUDM Hornets were equipped with F404-GE-402 EPE engines and were provided with with the Hughes APG-73 radar set. The first F/A-18D (serial number M45-01) was delivered to the Royal Malaysian Air Force on March 19, 1997. All eight of the Hornets had been delivered to Malaysia by September of 1997. A follow-on order for another 12 F/A-18Ds was shelved. The TUDM Hornets are currently serving with 18 Skuadron based at Butterworth.
Sources:
-
Vespidae Varius--Recent Variations in the Hornet Family, Paul
Jackson, Air International, December 1993, p. 301
- ASEAN Air Power, Robert Hewson, Air Forces Monthly, March 2000
