Khaberni - With a total value exceeding $8.6 billion to allies in the Middle East, the US State Department said on Saturday that it has approved military sales to 4 countries, most notably the United Arab Emirates.
So, what do we know about it?
The US State Department issued a decision approving a deal to sell military equipment to the United Arab Emirates, which it said plays an important role in achieving political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
According to a statement from the US State Department, reviewed by «Al Ain News», the deal includes the purchase of the "Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System" (APKWS) and related equipment, and is valued at approximately $147.6 million.
The State Department noted that it includes 1500 guidance units (air-to-air version) of the APKWS-II system, in addition to a number of non-primary defensive equipment, including:
LAU-131 A/A launchers, high-explosive warheads type Mk-152, MK66 rocket engines, proximity fuzes, training heads type WTU-1/B, unpackaged MK66 rocket engines, along with support equipment, technical publications and documents, transport services, as well as other elements associated with logistical and programmatic support.
The statement confirmed that this proposed deal supports the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of a key defense partner, noting that the UAE plays an important role in achieving political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The State Department added that the deal will enhance the UAE's capability to face current and future threats by developing its self-defense capabilities and maintaining them, improving interoperability with US forces, affirming that the UAE will face no difficulty in integrating these systems and services into its armed forces.
What about Kuwait?
The military deal for Kuwait includes the purchase of the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) and associated equipment, estimated to be valued at around $2.5 billion.
The Kuwaiti government has requested:
Six (6) IBCS engagement operations centers (portable/deployable)
Two (2) hosted operations centers within the system
Six (6) portable Integrated Collaboration Environments (ICE)
Two (2) hosted ICEs within the system
Fourteen (14) modification kits for integrated launch units
Thirty-five (35) launch network kits associated with enhanced launch systems
Twenty-four (24) friend/foe identification encryption devices (KIV 77 or 79)
The deal also includes non-primary defensive equipment, including: communications equipment, testing tools and equipment, support equipment, electric generators, vehicles, transport services, technical publications and documents, training equipment including an air defense reconfiguration training device, spare parts and repairs, personnel training, field technical support team, technical, engineering, and logistical assistance services from the US government and contractors, phase two planning of the IBCS system, systems integration and testing, field office support, in addition to other elements associated with logistical and programmatic support.
The State Department added that the deal will enhance Kuwait's capability to face current and future threats by providing advanced capabilities in air defense detection as part of a low-tier air and missile defense radar system, along with integrating the IBCS as a command and control system, providing a multi-layered defense capability.
This development will contribute to protecting Kuwait and allied ground forces and will significantly enhance Kuwait's contribution to the integrated air and missile defense network, according to the statement.
The statement identified the main contractors as:
Northrop Grumman Corporation, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia
RTX Corporation, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia
Lockheed Martin Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas
Qatar.. on the American radar
The American deal directed to Qatar includes the purchase of the "Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System" (APKWS), valued at about $992.4 million.
The government of Qatar has requested the purchase of 10,000 full munitions for the APKWS-II system (advanced standalone version).
The deal also includes non-primary defensive equipment, among them:
LAU-131 A/A launchers, high-explosive warheads type Mk-152, MK66 rocket engines, proximity fuzes, training heads type WTU-1/B, unpackaged MK66 rocket engines, support equipment, in addition to technical publications and documents, transport services, and engineering and technical support services from the US government and contractors, as well as other elements associated with logistical and programmatic support.
The State Department mentioned that the minister decided, with detailed justifications, that there is an emergency situation necessitating the immediate sale of these defense equipment and services to Qatar, serving the interests of US national security.
The statement specified that the main contractor is BAE Systems, headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire. It also clarified that the US government is not yet aware of any compensation agreement related to this deal, to be determined in negotiations between the buyer and the contractor.
The US State Department also issued a decision approving another sale deal to Qatar, which includes the purchase of services for replenishing the "Patriot" air and missile defense system and associated equipment, valued at about $4.01 billion.
The government of the State of Qatar has requested:
200 missiles of the PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical within the Patriot system equipped with phased array tracking radar for intercepting targets
300 missiles of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement
The deal also includes non-primary defensive equipment, among them: spare parts for PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles and ground support equipment, classified and unclassified repair and return operations, missile container supplies, field surveillance program for PAC-3 missiles, technical, engineering, and logistical assistance services from the US government and contractors, quality assurance, and other elements associated with logistical and programmatic support.
US and Israel's Security:
The US State Department issued a decision approving a potential foreign military sale to the government of Israel, which includes the purchase of the "Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System" (APKWS) and associated equipment, valued at about $992.4 million...
