A Patriot missile is launched by soldiers at an airborne target during a live-fire exercise at an undisclosed location. The State Department this week approved a $425 million Patriot defense system purchase by Kuwait. (Kyle Fisch/U.S. Army)
The State Department has approved a potential sale to Kuwait for upgrades to its Patriot missile defense systems, bolstering a key regional ally amid heightened tensions with Iran.
The $425 million sale includes software, maintenance, spare parts, training, integration, test support, and engineering from the U.S. government and contractors, the State Department said in a statement Wednesday.
The deal awaits congressional approval and comes amid billions of dollars in recent Patriot sales to U.S. allies in the Middle East and on NATO’s eastern flank.
The approval on Wednesday will further Kuwait’s ability to meet current and future threats, the department said. The country is home to about 13,500 U.S. troops, based primarily at Camp Arifjan and Ali al-Salem Air Base.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the infrastructure of a major non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the State Department said.
The Patriot, developed by Raytheon, is considered one of the military’s most advanced air defense systems and has been used in battle recently by Ukraine and Israel. The system — consisting of truck-mounted launchers, radars and a control station — is designed to detect and shoot down ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and advanced aircraft.
Raytheon will be the principal contractor for the sale to Kuwait. Three to five U.S. government workers or contractors would travel to Kuwait periodically over the next decade to assist with maintenance and sustainment operations.
The State Department’s approval of the potential sale comes as the U.S. continues its pressure campaign against Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned during Iran’s early morning hours Thursday that Tehran would face consequences for its support of Houthi militants in Yemen, who have launched strikes on U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels.
Meanwhile, American diplomats are expected to be in Rome this weekend for another round of nuclear talks with Iranian officials.
