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
-
![DSEI 2025: Avon Protection provides first sight of new goggle and details on half mask]()
DSEI 2025: Avon Protection provides first sight of new goggle and details on half mask
Avon Protection has been growing and improving its integrated systems offerings. Last year the company released its Exoskin total protective suit system and earlier this year the MITR-M1 half mask.
-
![DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements]()
DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements
Elbit Systems UK was awarded the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrators (D-JFI) programme in January 2021, which will integrate with the UK’s army, marines and air force. The parent company has decades of heritage in the UK and is looking to compete for the Watchkeeper drone replacement.
-
![DSEI 2025: Milrem’s Havoc 8×8 robot to undergo live firing trials next year]()
DSEI 2025: Milrem’s Havoc 8×8 robot to undergo live firing trials next year
The Havoc uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) was unveiled at IDEX 2025 in February. It is built around a hybrid electric powertrain which provides silent running over medium distances and silent watch for extended periods of time.
