Hundreds of HEMTTs leave for the Middle East in a half-billion-dollar deal
KUWAIT CITY, BM, ($1=) – Kuwait will spend $ 445 million to buy hundreds of heavy trucks and vehicles, securing and increasing the combat capabilities of the oil state in the Middle East, BulgarianMilitary.com has learned, citing a press release from the US State Department.
- Top 5 of the best next-gen main battle tanks in the world
- The Saudi and Kuwait`s Abrams Tanks to be Updated with J7 Control Units
- Kuwait buys Apache helicopters from the United States for nearly $ 4 billion
A total of 517 heavy tactical vehicles will have to be produced by Oshkosh Defense as the main contractor for the project. The whole deal includes HEMTT self-propelled trucks, HEMTT fuel trucks, guided-missile trucks, commercial trailers for use with HET tractors, flat trunks, logistics, maintenance, spare parts, and more.
Although Kuwait is not a member of NATO, the United States is a major supplier of weapons systems, weapons, and various ground, water, and air vehicles. In a statement to the US Congress, the State Department said the sale was needed not only to help improve the combat capability of the Kuwaiti military but also to support political stability in the region.
Kuwait has assured the Pentagon that the ordered heavy tactical vehicles will be used only for state purposes – transport of weapons systems, including M1A2 tanks and their new main battle tank M1A2K, which expects to arrive in Kuwait this year.
As we reported back in 2019 the US company Honeywell International was awarded a $16 million contract to supply J7 control units to Saudi and Kuwait`s Abrams tanks.
The M1 Abrams is designed for modern armored ground warfare. It has a 1500 hp AGT1500 multifuel turbine engine, sophisticated Chobham composite armor, a computer fire control system and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment along with NBC protection for crew safety.
While the initial models of the M1 were armed with a licensed-produced 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 gun, later variants feature a licensed Rheinmetall 120 mm L/44 for increased firepower. Weighing nearly 68 short tons (almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service.
The term in which the USA will deliver the ordered equipment, will carry out training, installation, dismantling and any technical support is five years, and according to the government between 10-15 contractors will be sent to Kuwait to provide all this.
***
Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news, follow our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages. Subscribe to our Newsletter and read our stories in News360App in AppStore or GooglePlay or in FeedlyApp in AppStore or GooglePlay. Our standards: Manifesto & ethical princliples.