Login
iscover
The US State Department has approved a possible sale of the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System, Medium Range Air Defense System and equipment to the government of Kuwait.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The estimated cost of the sale is US$3 billion, with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announcing the approval earlier in October.
The request for purchase includes the NASAMS, MRAD containing:
- seven AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radars;
- 63 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles;
- 63 AMRAAM-extended range missiles;
- two AIM-120-C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections;
- 63 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles
- six SIM-9X Block II tactical missile guidance units
- 12 multifunctional information distribution systems (MIDS) – low volume terminal block upgrade 2; and
- 12 MIDS LVT cryptographic modules.
Associated communications equipment, tools, accessories and protective systems are also included in the sale.
According to the DSCA, the sale is expected to help the United States’ foreign and national security objectives by supporting a major non-NATO ally who will support peace in the Middle East.
The sale is further expected to support interoperability within the Gulf and protect Kuwait’s borders, infrastructure and the 4,000 US military and civilians in the country.
Raytheon Missiles & Defense is the principal contractor for the agreement and the sale will have no harmful impact on US defence readiness.
[Related: US approves sale of Javelin launch units to the UK]
