The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of System Spares for Patriot Configuration 3+ and related equipment for an estimated cost of $200 million. The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale of these spare parts for Kuwait’s Patriot System will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for critical civilian and military infrastructure. The procurement of these spare parts represents a commitment by Kuwait to field and maintain systems that are interoperable with U.S. forces. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Waltham, MA.
The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy spare parts to support their upgraded Patriot systems. Included is one (1) set of Authorized Stockage List (ASL), Prescribed Load List (PLL) and Higher Headquarters Battery (HHB) spare parts; one (1) set of Authorized Stockage List (ASL), Prescribed Load List (PLL) and Higher Headquarters Battery (HHB) spare parts; one (1) set of Fixed Site Antenna Mast Group (ATG)/Information and Coordination Central (ICC) Tethered Manstation Kit (ITMK) spare parts, transportation, organizational equipment, support equipment, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, maintenance services, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $200 million.
Patriot (MIM-104) is a long-range air defence system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. Patriot is in service throughout the US, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Poland, Sweden, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Spain and Taiwan. The systems were stationed in Kuwait and destroyed a number of hostile surface-to-surface missiles using the new PAC-3 and guidance enhanced missiles. The most modern/current variant of Patriot is called Patriot Configuration 3+, not PAC-3. PAC-3 is one of the missiles used by Configuration 3+, but as Patriot is an entire system, not just a missile, the Config 3+ enhancements involve a whole suite of upgrades and capabilities. One of them is enabling the system to take advantage of the PAC-3 MSE capabilities, but there are many other things, such as a better user interface and increased reliability, that Config 3+ has.
