US envoy affirms Kuwait strategic non-NATO ally

This news has been read 22735 times!

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy James Holtsnider has affirmed that Kuwait is a strategic and important non- NATO ally of America, reports Al- Qabas daily. In an exclusive statement to the daily, Holtsnider revealed the US State Department has approved the proposed weapons sale to Kuwait — valued at about $400 million.

File photo: Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy James Holtsnider at Arab Times Office

He believes this will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. He said this will help 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. It will improve Kuwait’s ability to deal with current and future threats in the region, he confirmed. Meanwhile, the Defense Post website has reported that the US State Department approved the $397-million sale of weapons for Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft requested by the government of Kuwait.

The report revealed that the sale includes 60 AIM-120 C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 250 MK-84 General Purpose 2,000 lb. bombs, 501 MK-83 General Purpose 1,000 lb. bombs, 350 KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, 702 MXU-667 Air Foil Groups, and 702 MAU-210 Enhanced Computer Control Groups; as well as logistics, technical support and training. It added that Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will be the principal contractors.

In a press statement on July 21, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency clarified that the proposed sale has no effect on the basic military balance in the region. The agency also confirmed that Kuwait Air Force received its third and fourth Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in March to complete the 28- unit order from Leonardo. This is part of the Eurofighter Kuwait Program made possible through the collaboration between the Kuwaiti military and Italian Air Force. “In this project, both parties work jointly to strategize operations, share support services and training personnel associated with the Typhoon fleet,” the agency concluded.

This news has been read 22735 times!

Related Articles

Back to top button

Advt Blocker Detected

Kindly disable the Ad blocker

Verified by MonsterInsights