On 4 August 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of 436 TOW-2A/B Anti-armor Guided Missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $19 million.

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of 288 TOW-2A missiles, 4 TOW-2A Fly-to-Buy missiles, 140 TOW-2B missiles, and 4 TOW-2B Fly-to-Buy missiles.

Also included are spare and repair parts, supply support, publications and technical data, engineering change proposals, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $19 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 major non-NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

Additionally, the proposed sale will provide a signal of the U.S. Government commitment to our bilateral relationship. Kuwait will use these TOW-2 missiles to upgrade its air-to-surface day/night anti-armor defense capability and provide close air support for military ground forces. Kuwait will augment its land forces with these TOW-2B anti-armor guided missiles. This weapon sale will greatly enhance the coalition efforts within the region. Kuwait, which already has TOW-2 missiles in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be the Raytheon Corporation of Mesa, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Kuwait. 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.

DSCA
09.08.2005
www.dsca.mil