General Dynamics lines up for Kuwaiti Abrams ammunition deal
A Kuwaiti M1A2K Abrams MBT. (Photo: Kuwait News Agency)
Via the FMS programme, Kuwait would receive armour-piercing and high-explosive 120mm rounds plus 7.62mm machine gun ammunition.
General Dynamics will provide operational and training ammunition for M1A2K MBTs operated by the Kuwait Army, if the US Congress approves an FMS deal worth an estimated $250 million.
Approved by the State Department on 27 September, the proposed FMS package includes KE-W A1 Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APFSDS-T) and Insensitive Munition High Explosive Tracer (IM-HET) rounds for the 120mm main gun on the M1A2K.
Other elements include M80 Ball cartridge and M62 Tracer 7.62mm machine gun ammunition; MK211 armour-piercing incendiary and M903/M962 Saboted Light Armor Penetrator-Tracer rounds for .50cal machine guns; smoke grenades; and ancillary support and test equipment.
Prime contractor General Dynamics will also provide contractor engineering, technical and logistics support.
‘The proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s ability to meet current and future regional threats’, the State Department noted, by enabling continued employment of the Abrams MBT and supporting the modernisation of the Kuwaiti tank fleet.
The Kuwait Army announced in July 2021 that it had received its first M1A2K MBT (an upgraded version of the M1A2 Abrams) almost two years behind the initial schedule.
In July 2020, the State Department approved a $59.6 million FMS deal for BAE Systems to provide training ammunition for the Kuwaiti Abrams fleet.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities]()
Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities
The HX truck is already in use in many NATO and allied countries around the world as a logistics vehicle and carrier for high-value systems, including missile firing weapons, so its use for the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System makes logistical sense.
-
![Medium knocked out of British Army LMP, with CAVS as heavyweight champion]()
Medium knocked out of British Army LMP, with CAVS as heavyweight champion
As the British Army seeks to modernise and consolidate its diverse vehicle fleet, yet another change in direction is underway.
-
![Energy evolution: How laser defence systems are powering the next phase of air defence (podcast)]()
Energy evolution: How laser defence systems are powering the next phase of air defence (podcast)
Laser-based air defence is moving from promise to deployment as global threats evolve. In this special podcast, we explore how high-energy laser systems are reshaping interception strategies.
