 At the time of delivery the Su-30MKMs were the most advanced and heavy fighters in Southeast Asia.In August 2003, Malaysia signed a US$900 million contract with Irkut Corporation for 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs.Malaysia operates 8 legacy F/A-18D Hornet, and was offered Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but the Royal Malaysian Air Force chose the Su-30MKM instead.