Kuwait will purchase 19 U.S. M88A2 heavy tracked armored recovery vehicles.

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for nineteen (19) M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System (HERCULES) recovery vehicles and related equipment and support for an estimated cost of $281 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 10, 2019.

U.S. Army M88A2 HERCULES Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of nineteen (19) M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System (HERCULES) recovery vehicles and nineteen (19) .50 caliber machine guns. Also included is the refurbishment/overhaul of existing fleet of M88Al/A2 recovery vehicles; M239 Smoke Grenade Launchers; AN/PVS-7D Night Vision Goggles; Driver Vision Enhancer DVE-CV (platform-mounted Night Vision Device) for vehicles; Vehicle Intercom Set (VIC-3); Commander's Cupola gun shield assembly for vehicle crew chief; Remote Thermal Sights/kits (vehicle-mounted sights); SINCGARS AN-VRC92E Export Radio System and support; logistics support fielding packages; special tools and test equipment; spare and maintenance support parts for vehicles and machine guns; transportation services; Repair and Return services for vehicle components; de-processing team; contractor System Technical Support (STS) and Field Service Representatives (FSRs); training; and U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $281 million.

The M88A2 HERCULES is a full tracked armored vehicle used to perform battlefield rescue and recovery missions. The M88A2 is essential to the long-term sustainability of Kuwait's new M1A2 tank fleet for national defense. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this additional equipment and services.

The principal contractors involved in this program are the BAE Systems - York, PA; US Ordnance - McCarran, NV; DRS Technologies - Arlington, VA; Harris Corp. - Tysons Corner, VA; Northrup Grumman - West Falls Church, VA; and Raytheon - McKinney, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require five to seven U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Kuwait for a period of 12 months for vehicle de-processing and training. If refurbishment/overhaul takes place in Kuwait, the estimated number of U.S. Government or contractors required is eight over an estimated 18-month period.