$325 Million, the U.S. Approves Sustainment Package Sale for Kuwait Army’s M1A2 and M1A2K Abrams Tanks

Defence affairs

The United States government has authorized the potential sale of a sustainment package for the Kuwait Army’s fleet of M1A2 and M1A2K Abrams tanks. This approval is part of a recent notification submitted by the State Department to the U.S. Congress for the operation to be carried out through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

Currently, Kuwait’s Land Forces operate a significant fleet of M1A2 Abrams tanks, which were acquired from the United States in the late 1990s. This batch totaled 218 units, which remain in service to this day.

However, by the mid-2010s, the Kuwaiti government reached an agreement with the United States to recapitalize its M1A2 tanks through an upgrade and improvement program led by General Dynamics Land Systems. This upgraded version, known as the M1A2K Abrams, features new equipment to enhance performance in the country’s harsh desert environment, with deliveries beginning in 2021.

Nevertheless, recognizing the importance of sustainment and maintenance for its tank fleet, the Kuwaiti government requested to purchase a sustainment package for its M1A2 and M1A2K tanks from the U.S. According to information released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the package is valued at $325 million and includes spare parts and components, various materials, and other logistical items, with General Dynamics Land Systems as the primary contractor.

The State Department stated: “The proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s ability to meet current and future threats by helping it maintain a high level of operational readiness while supporting its modernization and professionalization goals. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing these items and services into its armed forces.