IRIA News

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The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Raytheon a contract worth more than $1.02 billion to supply National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) fire units to Kuwait as the Gulf state continues efforts to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

According to the Pentagon, the contract is valued at approximately $1.02 billion and covers the procurement of NASAMS fire units under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

The project will be carried out in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, with work expected to continue until May 2031. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is overseeing the initiative.

Pentagon officials said only one bid was received for the contract, which is fully funded through Kuwait-related Foreign Military Sales allocations for fiscal year 2026.

Kuwait Expands Air Defense Capabilities

NASAMS is a ground-based air defense system designed to counter aircraft, drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles. The platform can carry up to six missiles and engage targets at ranges of up to 60 kilometers.

The system can operate at altitudes reaching around 69,000 feet and uses advanced sensors capable of detecting threats from distances of approximately 120 kilometers.

NASAMS has become one of the most widely used modern air defense systems and is operated by several countries worldwide.

The deal comes as Kuwait continues to modernize its military capabilities amid growing regional security concerns and rising tensions in the Middle East.

Recent years have seen repeated missile and drone attacks linked to regional confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Tehran has described some of its military actions in the region as retaliation connected to broader geopolitical conflicts.

Broader Kuwaiti Military Modernization

The NASAMS purchase is part of a wider Kuwaiti defense expansion program. Earlier, Kuwait invested around $370 million in naval combat systems and another $467 million in hull development for its future Al Dorra missile boat program. The country has also been working to increase domestic defense production capacity.

In February, Kuwait inaugurated a factory producing NATO-standard light ammunition as part of efforts to improve military self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.

A month before the NASAMS announcement, Washington also approved an $800 million support package aimed at helping Kuwait maintain and sustain its Patriot air and missile defense systems.

The latest agreement further strengthens defense ties between Kuwait and the United States, which have remained close security partners for decades. Kuwait hosts American military personnel and plays an important role in U.S. operations across the Gulf region.

Additional Contracts Announced

The Pentagon also announced several other military contracts involving major American defense companies.

Lockheed Martin received a $14.3 million modification contract related to engineering and support work for the Multiple Launch Rocket System program. The work will continue through May 2027 in Texas.

The company was also awarded a separate $100.4 million contract connected to brake assembly heat sinks for F-35 fighter aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and international partners.

The contract supports efforts to address thermal management issues and improve operational readiness across the F-35 fleet.

Meanwhile, the Defense Logistics Agency awarded contracts worth nearly $13 million each to E-VAC Magnetics and Noveon Magnetics for the supply of specialized NdFeB magnet blocks used across multiple U.S. military branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.

The announcements reflect continued large-scale U.S. investment in air defense systems, missile technology, and military modernization programs at a time of increasing global security competition.