U.S. Agrees to Sell AH-64E Apache Gunships to Kuwait for $4B

The United States today approved several high-ticket arms sales to the Middle East including one for a bevy of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Kuwait for $4 billion.

Kuwait wants to buy 8 new AH-64E Apache Longbow Attack Helicopters and plans to remanufacture the 16 AH-64 Delta-models it purchased in 2005 into the E-model configuration.

The Apaches will come equipped AN/ASQ-170(V) Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights and AN/AAQ-11 Pilot Night Vision Sensor electronic units plus AN/APG Longbow Fire Control Radars. They will be armed with 299 AGM-114 Hellfire Missile Launchers as well as Hydra 70mm rocket launchers and M23El 30mm chain guns.

The contract will cover new and remanufactured T700-GE 701D engines as well as new and remanufactured AN/AAR-57 Counter Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) and embedded GPS with inertial navigation and a multi-mode receivers.

The principal contractors associated with this sale will be Boeing (Apaches), Lockheed Martin (Hellfire missile launchers, day and night vision sensors) and General Electric (engines).

Kuwait also plans to buy spare parts to support their upgraded Patriot Configuration 3+ systems for $200 million. Seven months ago, the U.S. agreed to provide 84 interceptor missiles called the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs) and related equipment. That deal included repairs and upgrades to Kuwait’s existing Patriots. Totally, it was worth $1.42 billion.

Other deals the U.S. gave its nod to today include Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods and aircraft components to Egypt; and 3,000 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs to Saudi Arabia.