The State Department has approved a possible $259 million deal with Kuwait for four King AIR 350ER ISR aircraft.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on Wednesday of the foreign military sale (FMS).
The Kuwaiti government requested the aircraft come with enhanced PT6A-67A engines, AN/AAQ-35 WESCAM MX-15HDi electro-optical & infrared imaging sensor turrets, Selex Seaspray 7500E active electronically scanned array radars, AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems and AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser systems.
“The proposed sale will enable Kuwait to gather its own airborne ISR data. This capability will improve Kuwait’s situational awareness, armed forces posture, and armed forces capability to respond to threats. Enhancing Kuwait’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, & Intelligence (C4I) capability will result in the potential for greater burden sharing,” DSCA said. “The proposed sale of items and services will establish Kuwait’s first dedicated airborne ISR fleet. The King Air 350ER ISR is part of the Kuwaiti Air Force’s rapid expansion and modernization efforts, and is a priority for Kuwait and the United States.”
Sierra Nevada Corp. is the prime contractor for the deal.