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The US State Department has approved F/A-18 Super Hornet multi-role combat aircraft technical support for the Kuwait government under a possible foreign military sale worth US$1.8 billion.
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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress of the possible sale on 13 June, according to a statement from the DSCA.
Under the deal, Kuwait would receive continuation of contractor engineering technical services and contractor maintenance services for an enclosed, noise-suppressed aircraft jet engine testing facility, support for the countries’ F/A-18 C/D/E/F program, avionics software and engine improvements, equipment, aircraft spares and follow-on sustainment support to Kuwait’s F/A-18 aircraft.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the DSCA statement said.
“The proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s ability to meet current and future regional threats. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this support and services into its armed forces.”
An allocation of 735 US government and contractor representatives will attend Kuwait for three years to establish and maintain operational capability, as the country retires its fleet of Hornet aircraft in favour of Super Hornets entering the Kuwait armed forces.
Kuwait has also signed a reported $367 million deal to acquire an undisclosed number of Bayraktar TB2 medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicles from Turkish defence innovator Baykar.
“National SİHA Bayraktar TB2s, with which we have signed export contracts with 30 countries so far, will continue to serve for the establishment of peace and security in the inventories of friendly and brotherly countries,” said Baykar general manager Haluk Bayraktar regarding the sale.
TB2 reconnaissance, surveillance, and ground attack drones have previously been used in Syria and Libya and deployed in the Ukraine War.
