US envoy affirms Kuwait strategic non-NATO ally of USA

Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy James Holtsnider has affirmed that Kuwait is a strategic and important non- NATO ally of America, reports Al- Qabas daily. Holtsnider revealed the US State Department has approved the proposed weapons sale to Kuwait — valued at about $400 million, in an exclusive statement to the daily.

This will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. He said this will help improve the infrastructure of a major non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

This will improve Kuwait’s ability to deal with current and future threats in the region, he confirmed. Meanwhile, the Defense Post website has reported that the US State Department approved the $397-million sale of weapons for Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft requested by the government of Kuwait.

The report revealed that the sale includes 60 AIM-120 C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 250 MK-84 General Purpose 2,000 lb. bombs, 501 MK-83 General Purpose 1,000 lb. bombs, 350 KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, 702 MXU-667 Air Foil Groups, and 702 MAU-210 Enhanced Computer Control Groups; as well as logistics, technical support and training. It added that Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will be the principal contractors.