Kuwait buys US reconnaissance planes worth $259m

An Iraqi air force crew chief marshals a King Air 350 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to the taxiway, at New Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq [US Air Force / Senior Airman Perry Aston]

The State Department approved on Thursday the sale of four US-made intelligence and reconnaissance planes to Kuwait, Alkhaleejonline.net reported yesterday. The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) explained that Kuwait had asked to buy the King Air-350 ER aircraft fitted with PT6A-67A engines.

The DSCA statement noted that the planes are supplied with spare engines and four cameras and sensors, in addition to radar, rocket alarm systems and anti-rocket capabilities. Kuwait apparently also requested coded communication sets, precise training and navigation equipment, as well as engineering, technical and logistical services.

A few days ago, the DSCA revealed that Kuwait had asked to buy US patrol boats for an estimated $100 million. This request has also been approved.

Read: UK looks to build ‘permanent’ base in Kuwait

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