The Biden administration notified Congress on Tuesday of a proposal to provide Kuwait with $1.8 billion in long-term support for its fleet of F/A-18 fighter jets.
The State Department said in a press release that Kuwait is seeking "continuation of contractor engineering technical services; contractor maintenance services; Hush House (an enclosed, noise-suppressed aircraft jet engine testing facility) support services; and Liaison Office Support.”
The long-term support includes “F/A-18 avionics software upgrades; engine component improvements; ground support equipment; engine and aircraft spares and repair parts; publications and technical documentation,” and other forms of maintenance, engineering and logistical support.
Why it matters: Kuwait has flown Boeing’s F/A-18C and F-18D Hornet since the 1990s, but has been phasing those planes out in favor of new F/A-18 E and F Super Hornets purchased from the US in 2016.
