Kuwait on path for Raytheon Sentinel systems

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale last week and it now awaits Congress approval.

The $3 billion contract will include National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and Medium Range Air Defence Systems (MRADS), along with seven AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radars and related equipment.

It also includes 63 each of AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM), AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles, and AMRAAM-extended range missiles, accompanied by related guidance units and 12 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems – low volume terminal (MIDS LVT) Block Upgrade-2, and 12 MIDS LVT cryptographic modules.

The sale package also includes fire distribution and tactical control centres, canister launcher systems, radar communication nodes, and AN/PSN-13 defence advanced GPS Receivers (DAGR), with a selective availability anti-spoofing module.

In the proposal to Congress the DSCA said the “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 sale is said to improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing the ability to defend itself against regional malign actors and improve interoperability with systems operated by U.S. forces and other Gulf countries. Kuwait’s continued investment in its defensive capabilities is crucial to protecting its borders, energy infrastructure, and its residents, including over 4,000 U.S. citizens and military personnel living and working in the country. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this capability into its armed forces, the American government said.