PERMANENT ARMS ECONOMY; GRIFTER GUN RUNNER

State Department approves possible $4.2B 

in weapons sales to Kuwait


A Patriot missile launcher sat Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Nov. 20. 

Photo by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Boyton/U.S. Air Force



Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The State Department approved two possible arms sales to Kuwait totaling $4.2 billion Tuesday.

Per the larger of the two deals, for $4 billion, Kuwait's government has asked to buy 24 AH-64E Apache helicopters -- eight new and 16 remanufactured -- along with related equipment, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The deal, if approved, would also include 22 T700-GE 701D engines, 36 remanufactured T700-GE 701D engines as well as support equipment, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications.

The deal lists six principal contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Electric.

Under the second possible deal, for $200 million, the United States would sell spare parts to upgrade Kuwait's Patriot missile systems.

The principal contractor for that deal, if it's approved, would be Raytheon.

The DSCA's rationale for both deals was the same: "The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East."

The DSCA's announcement of the Patriot missile deal also notes that, the United States approves the sale, it would ensure Kuwait's systems continue to be interoperable with U.S. systems.

The helicopter deal, according to the DSCA, "will supplement and improve Kuwait's capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing Kuwait's close air support, armed reconnaissance, and antitank warfare mission capabilities."

In May the State Department approved a possible $425 million deal for work on Kuwait's Patriot missile system, and in July it approved a possible $59.6 million deal to sell various M1A2K training ammunition and related equipment to Kuwait.

BOMBS FOR YEMEN
State Dept. approves $300M bomb sale to Saudi Arabia


The Trump administration on Tuesday approved the sale of 3,000 Boeing-made GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I Munitions to Saudi Arabia. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday approved a possible $300 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia.

The State Department's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced it has approved the sale of 3,000 Boeing-made GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I Munitions and related equipment to the ally Middle Eastern country for $290 million.

"This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic growth in the Middle East," the statement said, adding "there will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale."

The State Department said the munitions will increase Saudi Arabia's stock of long-range, precision air-to-ground munitions that will improve the nation's "capability to meet current and future threats."

President Donald Trump has sought to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia as the kingdom implements new domestic and foreign policies, and last year he deployed additional troops and military equipment to the country amid an increase in attacks the United States blamed on Iran that targeted the kingdom, according to the Congressional Research Service.

In October, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States plans to sell arms to Saudi Arabia to combat Iranian aggression in the region.

Last week, The Washington Post, Bloomberg and The Hill reported citing unnamed sources that State Department officials have notified Congress of its intent to sell Saudi Arabia 7,500 Paveway air-to-ground so-called smart bombs for nearly $500 billion.

But the Trump administration has received push back for dealing with Saudi Arabia, particularly following the 2018 brutal death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

The Trump administration on Tuesday also approved a possible arms deal with Egypt worth $104 million and two possible deals worth $4.2 billion with Kuwait.