The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Maintenance Repair Sustainment Capability and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on 10 December 2024.
The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy equipment and services required to refurbish existing maintenance facilities in Kuwait, including sustainment maintenance; special tools; repair parts; common tools; shop equipment and fixtures; materiel handling equipment; two-years of initial repair parts; bench stock; mandatory replacement materials; capability to repair small/medium arms of up to 100 mm; cables; wiring harnesses (including wiring harness manufacturing); hydraulics; fuel oil pumps; starters; generators; AGT1500 hang-on parts; functionality testing and limited repairs authorized in the technical manuals for communications equipment, fire control, night vision, and laser devices; capability to perform enhanced repairs on AGT1500 engines consistent with the TIGER Process; five years of facility operation and maintenance; field service representatives, technicians, mechanics, and other support personnel; on-the-job training; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $300 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the infrastructure of a major non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats by allowing the Kuwait Land Forces (KLF) to maintain operational readiness. This capability will be used to repair its M1A2 and M1A2K Abrams Main Battle Tanks; M88A1 and M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicles; M113A1, M113A2, and M113A3 Armored Personnel Carriers; and M577A2 and M577A3 Command Post Carriers. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its Armed Forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be BAE Systems, located in York, Pennsylvania; U.S. Ordnance, located in McCarran, Nevada; DRS Technologies, located in Arlington, Virginia; L3Harris Corporation, located in Tysons Corner, Virginia; Northrop Grumman, located in West Falls Church, Virginia; and RTX Corporation, located in McKinney, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require five to ten additional U.S. Government or U.S. contractor representatives to travel to Kuwait periodically over a five-year period to assist with refurbishment operations.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA); File Photo: A Kuwaiti M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank © U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl
