Kuwait To Purchase Bombs & Missiles for its Eurofighter Typoons from United States
On Thursday, 21 July, the US State Department announced that it has approved the possible sale of a large package of weaponry for Kuwait’s Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. According to a written statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the State Department has approved the possible sale of a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions for an estimated $397 million.
The $397 million package includes 60 AIM-120 C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), 250 MK-84 general purpose 2000LB bombs, 501 MK-83 general purpose 1000LB bombs, 350 joint direct attack munition (JDAM) tail kits for GBU-31V1 2000LB bombs, and 702 air foil groups for GBU-48 Enhanced Paveway II (EPW-II) 1000LB bombs. The package also includes AMRAAM containers, various support equipment, spare parts, and staff training.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a division of the US Department of State responsible for approving such military sales, noted in a statement regarding the decision: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to 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.” Additionally, the agency noted that the basic military balance in the region will not shift as a result of the proposed sale of this equipment and support.
A contract for the supply of 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets for 8 billion euros ($9.09 billion) was signed by Kuwait and the Italian company Leonardo in April 2016. The agreement that was reached also covered the training of Kuwaiti technicians and pilots. On December 7, 2021, a ceremony at Caselle Air Base in Italy marked the delivery of the first two aircraft under the program. The country also acquired its third and fourth Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft about three and a half months after the initial batch was delivered. As of this point, deliveries for the Eurofighter Kuwait program have gone smoothly and in line with expectations. In this context, the company intends to supply Kuwait with the remaining aircraft in batches by 2023. With all the contracted Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and the delivery of advanced bombs and missiles from the US, the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) will possess one of the Middle East’s most advanced and capable combat air squadrons.