US State Department clears sale of NASAMS air defense systems to Kuwait


The U.S. Defense Security Council Agency on October 6 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
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NASAMS air defense system (Picture source: screenshot from US Army/DVIDS video)


The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS) solution comprised of: seven (7) AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radars with associated support equipment; sixty-three (63) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Airto-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); sixty-three (63) AMRAAM-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) missiles; two (2) AIM-120-C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections; sixty-three (63) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles; six (6) AIM-9X Block II tactical missile Guidance Units; twelve (12) Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems – Low Volume Terminal (MIDS LVT) Block Upgrade 2; and twelve (12) MIDS LVT Cryptographic Modules (LCM). Also included are Fire Distribution Centers (FDC); Canister Launcher Systems (CLS); Tactical Control Center (TCC) Systems; FDC Indoor Training Simulator; Radar Communication Nodes; MIDS LVT BU2 Link 16-capable radios; IPS-250X High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptions (HAIPE); KIV-77 Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) Crypto Applique to provide Mode 5 and Mode S capability (must be compatible with Model 5800 IFF); AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (OPS) Receivers (DAGR) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM); AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL), Code Loaders and Cable Sets to allow crypto keying capability for each IFF, OPS, and MIDS radio; AIM-120 control sections and containers; AMRAAM and AMRAAM-ER Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs); weapon system support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables, accessories and repair/return support; classified software; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; Maintenance Support Shelters, NASAMS U.S. Government and Contractor Technical Support; Technical Assistance Support; Software Integration Support; Construction/Facilities Requirements; communications equipment; tool kits; test equipment; range and test programs; support equipment; prime movers; wheeled vehicles and organizational equipment; spare and repair parts; generators; technical documentation; computer based training equipment; training simulators; spare parts; training; facility construction (radar berms, communication towers, ammunition storage, training facilities, and maintenance facilities); Infrastructure improvements; U.S. Government and contractor technical support; engineering and logistics support services; warranty services; Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO); field office support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $3 billion.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of three (3) U.S. Government and five (5) contractor representatives to Kuwait to support the delivery of the NASAMS and provide support and equipment familiarization. Six (6) contractors would be deployed to Kuwait for approximately three (3) years for follow-on support of equipment.