U.S. Approves $800M Patriot Support Package for Kuwait
The United States State Department has approved a possible $800 million Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait covering sustainment and follow-on technical support for the country’s Patriot air-and-missile defense program, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on January 14.
The agency confirmed that it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the proposed transaction.
According to the announcement, Kuwait requested a broad package of equipment, services and logistics support tied to its existing Patriot systems. The request includes spare and repair parts, storage and aging management, surveillance firing, stockpile reliability activities, and support from the shared and country-specific Patriot PAC-3 Missile Support Center. The package also covers operator and maintenance assistance, test program set development support, publications, technical documentation, personnel training, training equipment, engineering services and transportation.
The State Department said the total estimated value of the package is $800 million. The request does not include major defense equipment but focuses on sustainment and readiness support for Kuwait’s operational Patriot units. As noted by the agency, the proposed sale “will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States” by strengthening the capability of a key non-NATO ally in the Middle East.
Kuwait operates the Patriot system as part of its national air-defense network, which is centered on countering regional missile and drone threats. The Patriot platform provides engagement capability against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and has been deployed by several U.S. partners across the Gulf region. The support package is intended to maintain Kuwait’s operational readiness and ensure continuity of system performance.
The announcement stated that the proposed sale “will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats by assisting it in maintaining higher levels of operational readiness while meeting its modernization and professionalization goals.” The agency added that Kuwait is expected to absorb the equipment and services into its armed forces without difficulty.
The U.S. government identified RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin, LEIDOS and KBR as the principal contractors for the effort. These firms will supply sustainment services, engineering support and technical expertise across various program components. RTX and Lockheed Martin are the primary industrial partners for the Patriot system, while LEIDOS and KBR provide logistics and integrated support services for U.S. and allied programs.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale does not require any known offset arrangement at this stage. Any offset would be negotiated directly between Kuwait and the contractors. Implementation of the package will require the deployment of six U.S. government personnel and four contractor representatives to provide technical support and equipment familiarization.