WASHINGTON, July 10, 2009 – On July 8, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Kuwait to upgrade the Desert Warrior Fire Control System with Gunner’s Integrated TOW System (GITS II) worth an estimated $314 million.

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale to upgrade the Desert Warrior Fire Control System with Gunner’s Integrated TOW System (GITS II) hardware. The proposed sale includes installation of the Improved Thermal Sight System 2nd Generation Forward-Looking Infrared Radar, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $314 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The Government of Kuwait will use the upgraded Desert Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle for protecting its borders. The upgrade will provide Kuwait’s infantry with an advanced target acquisition and destruction capability, and will also improve the vehicles’ operational readiness. The proposed sale will provide for the defense of vital installations, and its ground forces. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this upgrade into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this upgrade will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Company Network Centric Systems in McKinney, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of five contractor representatives to Kuwait for a period of five years to accomplish the requested upgrade.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Source: DSCA