KUWAIT IS HAVING corrosion problems with some of its 40 McDonnell Douglas (MDC) F-18s, supplied after the Gulf War in 1991. MDC acknowledges the problems and says that an industry team is being sent to Kuwait repair the aircraft.
The US manufacturer declines to identify the nature of the problems, which it says have never been experienced with any other operator's F-18s. According to local press reports quoting unnamed Kuwaiti officials, the possibility that substandard or outdated parts were used in assembly of the aircraft is being investigated.
Reports suggest that the air force will temporarily reduce F-18 utilisation because of the corrosion and other unspecified problems. MDC has been trying to persuade Kuwait to buy a second batch of F-18s.
Source: Flight International
