U.S. State Dept. approves possible sale of ISR aircraft to Kuwait
NewsFebruary 23, 2018
WASHINGTON. The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale of King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Kuwait for an estimated cost of $259 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
The Government of Kuwait had previously requested a possible sale of four King Air 350ER ISR aircraft with enhanced PT6A-67A engines and one engine spare, together with imaging sensor turrets, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, missile warning systems, secure communications and navigation equipment, "Identification Friend or Foe" (IFF) systems, ground data-processing systems and support equipment, simulators, training, documentation, technical and logistics support services, and related support.
Additionally, one of the four aircraft will be further modified to accommodate VIP/senior leadership personnel for transport and medevac capability. The proposed sale will enable Kuwait to gather its own airborne ISR data, which the State Department believes will improve Kuwait's situational awareness, armed forces posture, and armed forces capability to respond to threats. The proposed sale of items and services will establish the first dedicated airborne ISR fleet for Kuwait.
