The US State Department has approved Kuwait’s request to upgrade and recertify its Patriot missiles and related equipment for an estimated $400 million.
The Gulf nation requested the upgrade and recertification of its existing inventory of Patriot PAC-2 Guidance Enhancement Missiles and Patriot Guidance Enhancement Missiles-Tactical.
The enhancements are aimed at improving the missile’s accuracy, reliability, and responsiveness against a range of aerial threats, such as tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
To Keep Threats at Bay
Amid a volatile situation in the Gulf in the wake of clashes between the US and Houthi rebels, the operational readiness of Patriot missile systems is essential.
Kuwait operates both the PAC-2 and PAC-3 Patriot missile systems.
“The proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats by assisting in maintaining higher levels of operational readiness while meeting its modernization and professionalization plans,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
“Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
The principal contractor for the potential deal is RTX, and no proposed offset agreement has been proposed so far. A possible offset agreement will be negotiated between the buyer and the seller.
