The Defense Security Cooperation Agency this week announced $700 million worth of proposed foreign military sales to Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. That reported by insidedefense.com.
On May 26, DSCA said the State Department had “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for F/A-18 C/D services and support” valued at $420 million.
“The proposed sale of support services will enable the Kuwait Air Force to ensure the reliability and performance of its F/A-18 C/D aircraft,” the agency said in a statement, adding:
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. Kuwait plays a large role in U.S. efforts to advance stability in the Middle East, providing basing, access, and transit for U.S. forces in the region.
On the same day, DSCA announced a separate $260 million proposed logistics support services sale to Oman as well as a $20 million Javelin missile sale to Qatar.
Defense industry association representatives earlier this month told Congress they’d like to see the FMS process made more efficient, more transparent and more strategic. As Inside Defense reported:
Thomas Davis, a senior fellow at the National Defense Industrial Association, and Remy Nathan, vice president for international affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association, stressed that the defense industry doesn’t want to shortcut the procedure, but argued it can be improved to benefit companies and national security.
Facing limited growth in U.S. defense spending, most of the largest contractors have focused on boosting international sales. Lockheed Martin, for instance, has said it wants international sales to make up 25 percent of total revenue.
Appearing before the House Armed Services oversight and investigations subcommittee on Wednesday morning, Davis said the system today is too focused on individual components, rather than the big picture and should “take a more strategic approach toward supporting FMS.”