The State Department approved a possible $194 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request to Kuwait for new and upgraded radar field systems and related equipment, training, and support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Oct. 13.
The sale would include six Short Range Radars, also called Gap Filler Radars, and one Long Range Radar with Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) and Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) arrays.
The FMS also includes upgrades to existing AN/FPS 117 (V) 3 Long Range Radars, upgrades to airfield radome and communications systems, upgrades to secure Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, site surveys, installation and checkout, site acceptance testing, interim contractor support, construction, contractor logistics support, spares, support equipment, and training.
Kuwait requested a limited competition among three U.S. vendors to produce a total of six Short Range, Gap Filler Radars (like the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel F1, AN/TPS-77, or AN/TPS- 703) and one Long Range Radar (e.g., AN/TPS-77 or AN/TPS-78). Only the AN/MPQ-64 is considered as major defense equipment (MDE). The other radars identified by Kuwait for consideration are non-MDE.
The three U.S. vendors/primary contractors are Lockheed Martin [LMT], Northrop Grumman [NOC], and Raytheon [RTN].
Kuwait wants the radar field system to improve early warning, enhance internal and external security, and protect national sovereignty. The systems provide situational awareness for Kuwait security forces to detect and interdict fixed and rotary wing aircraft, DSCA said.
Implementation of the procurement would include a small number of U.S. contractor system and maintenance advisers under a long-term operations and maintenance support package. The specific number of personnel and performance period will be finalized at a later time.