US Approves $1.7 Billion Upgradation Of 218 M1A1 Abrams Tanks For Kuwait

The US State Department has approved recapitalization of 218 M1A2 tanks and related equipment, support, and training to the Government of Kuwait for an estimated $1.7 billion.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on December 12, 2016.

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale in support of its recapitalization of 218 M1A2 tanks, to include 240 0.50 Cal M2A1 machine guns; 480 7.62mm M240 machine guns; 240 AN/VRC-92E SINCGARS radios; and 1085 AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles.

Also included is the incorporation of cooling system/thermal management systems; Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS) II – Low Profile Stabilized Weapon Stations; special armor; 120mm gun tubes; 2nd generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sights; embedded diagnostics; gunner’s primary sights; Counter Sniper and Anti-Materiel Mount (CSAMM) hardware; upgrade/maintenance of engines and transmissions; depot level support; training devices; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

Kuwait intends to use this equipment to recapitalize its fleet of M1A2 full track tanks in order to modernize and extend the service of the tanks. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors involved in this program are: General Dynamics Land Systems, Joint Services Manufacturing Center (JSMC), Konsberg Defense Systems, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, DRS Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Honeywell.