Kuwait set to continue flying ‘classic' Hornets, with new support agre…

The Kuwait Air Force fields 33 ‘classic' Hornet combat aircraft (pictured), which it now seeks to operate alongside newer Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon platforms. (DVIDS)

Kuwait is set to continue operating its ‘classic' Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornet combat aircraft alongside its recently received F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons, with a USD1.8 billion support agreement with the US government approved on 13 June.

As noted by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the US Department of State has approved the continuation of contractor engineering technical services and contractor maintenance services of the Kuwait Air Force's (KAF's) Hornet and Super Hornet fleets. Earlier, it had been supposed that the 33 remaining Hornets that the KAF procured in the mid-1990s would be replaced in relatively short order by 28 Super Hornets, which were all delivered in late 2021, as well as by 28 Typhoons, which are now being delivered.

“The government of Kuwait has requested to buy continuation of contractor engineering technical services; contractor maintenance services; Hush House (an enclosed, noise-suppressed aircraft jet engine testing facility) support services; and Liaison Office Support for the Government of Kuwait's F/A-18 C/D/E/F program, to include: F/A-18 avionics software upgrades; engine component improvements; ground support equipment; engine and aircraft spares and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs); US government and contractor programmatic, financial, and logistics support; maintenance and engineering support; F404/F414 engine and engine test cell support; and other related elements of logistical and programme support,” the DSCA notification said.

As noted by Janes World Air Forces