US Clears $236M KC-130J Sustainment Package for Kuwait

The US State Department has approved a possible $235.9-million foreign military sale to Kuwait covering follow-on sustainment support for the country's KC-130J transport aircraft fleet.

Included in the package are maintenance services, spare and repair parts, technical publications, and software support.

Additional support includes logistics assistance, training, engineering services, and other measures to sustain the fleet over the next five years.

According to US officials, the proposed sale is intended to support Kuwait's ongoing maintenance and sustainment efforts while providing flexibility for future support requirements.

Operated by the Kuwaiti Air Force, the KC-130J fleet is used for transport and other operational missions, including protecting national assets.

Major contractors identified for the program include V2X, Aviation Training Consulting, CAE USA, Dowty, and Rolls-Royce.

No additional US government personnel are expected to be deployed to Kuwait as part of the sale.

The Gulf nation has been increasingly affected by regional tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US.

Earlier this month, Iranian strikes targeting Kuwaiti territory damaged an airport radar and injured several people, prompting a temporary closure of the country's airspace.

At the same time, Kuwait has continued to advance a series of major defense modernization programs to strengthen its air, maritime, and counter-drone capabilities.

In recent weeks, Washington approved a potential $1.9-billion counter-drone sale to Kuwait and awarded Raytheon a $1-billion contract to provide National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System fire units for the country. 

In May, Leonardo secured a 320-million-euro ($370 million) contract to provide combat systems for Kuwait's Al Dorra missile boat program.