BAE Systems to supply training ammo for Kuwaiti Abrams
BAE Systems is close to providing training ammunition and related equipment for Kuwait Army M1A2 Abrams MBTs, after the US State Department approved a $59.6 million FMS deal.
The deal still requires approval from Congress.
‘The proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling continued employment of the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank and supporting modernisation of the country’s tank fleet,’ the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 28 July.
It added: ‘The training ammunition will be used to qualify Kuwait’s M1A2 tanks, which will enhance Kuwait’s ability to protect border regions and key land-based infrastructure.’
The FMS deal includes 10,260 cartridges of 120mm calibre M865 Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot Tracer; 9,810 cartridges of 120mm calibre M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer; plus 215,000 cartridges of .50 cal and 600,000 cartridges of 7.62mm ammunition.
Kuwait purchased 218 new M1A2s in 1992 and the MBTs were delivered in 1995-1997. A FMS worth US$1.7 billion was approved in December 2016 to upgrade all these tanks to the M1A2 SEPv2 standard.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Kuwaiti M1A2 fleet has an out-of-service date of 2050.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Billion-dollar Belgium deal for NASAMS creates multinational air defence system]()
Billion-dollar Belgium deal for NASAMS creates multinational air defence system
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is in service on five continents with more than 120 platforms delivered. The system will now form part of Belgium’s Blue Dome air defence system alongside new orders for Skyranger air defence and Thales radar systems.
-
![Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth]()
Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
-
![Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?]()
Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
-
![A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options]()
A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
-
![NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement]()
NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
