State Dept. approves $119 million missile sale for Kuwait

Jan. 24 (UPI) -- A possible $119 million sales deal is in the works between the United States and Kuwait for 60 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles.

The deal, which has received State Department approval, was reported to Congress on Monday by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The agency, which manages the Foreign Military Sales program, said the missiles would increase Kuwait's interoperability with the United States and "ensures a sustained air-to-air capability for Kuwait's F/A-18 aircraft."

In addition to the AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM missiles the proposed deal also includes missile containers and other related services.

Raytheon would be the principal contractor for the missiles, the agency said.

The AMRAAM deal is the second FMS package for Kuwait to be announced this week. The country is also seeking sustainment and logistics support for its AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.