Boeing progresses Malaysian Hornet upgrade programme

KUALA LUMPUR, -- Boeing is more than halfway through a programme to upgrade the mission systems on board the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF's) fleet of eight F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft as it seeks to increase its presence in the market.

A Boeing spokesperson confirmed to IHS Jane's on 26 March that system modifications on six of the eight RMAF Hornets have so far been completed. IHS Jane's understands that the upgrade brings the software capabilities of the RMAF aircraft to a comparable standard to that of the US Navy and Marine Corps.

The programme, which is progressing as a US Foreign Military Sale, also allows the RMAF Hornets to operate the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) and the joint direct attack munition (JDAM).