US approves $1B military construction deal with Kuwait

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of military-related design and construction services to Kuwait.

As per a statement issued by the Pentagon, the agreement is set for an estimated cost of $1 billion. 

According to the agreement, the US will provide design and construction services to strategically enhance Kuwait’s military infrastructure. A principal contractor, a crucial aspect of the deal, will be selected through competitive acquisition among approved vendors.

This deal will help in significant expansion of military collaboration between the two countries, while strengthening the commitment to boost defense capabilities in the region.

The US and Kuwait have been working on facilitating a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East. Kuwait has become a key US ally on a wide range of regional security issues and a leader in the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The two countries have a 1991 Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and a 2013 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). There are approximately 13,500 US forces are based in Kuwait, primarily at Camp Arifjan and Ali al-Salem Air Base. Currently, Washington maintains 2,200 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in Kuwait.