Oshkosh Defense to sell 517 Heavy Tactical Vehicles to Kuwait army.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on July 1 that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (HET) with support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $445 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this sale.
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The HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck) 8x8 truck series exists in several variants, some of which have been purchased by Kuwait and Qatar (Picture source: Oshkosh Defense)

The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy 517 total Heavy Tactical Vehicles consisting of Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) and Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET). These items include 31 HEMTT Wrecker Trucks (M984A4 10-ton with crane and winch); 100 HEMTT Fuel Tanker Trucks (M978A4, 10-ton, 2,500 gallons); 188 Guided Missile Transporter Trucks (M985A4, 10-ton with winch); 50 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) Trucks (M1070A1); 50 635NL Commercial Trailers for use with HET prime movers; 49 Palletized Load System (PLS) Trailers (M1076A0); PLS Flat Rack (M1077 with sides); elements of a logistical, contract, and other support services including spare parts, special tools and test equipment; toolsets; standard technical manuals; OCONUS operator and maintainer new equipment training (NET); Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) including Field Service Representatives (FSRs); de-processing services; construction of a heavy tactical vehicle maintenance facility; U.S. Government-furnished program management; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total case value is $445 million.

This proposed sale will improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing tactical logistics, sustainment, and transportation support to the country’s Land Force Support Command. HEMTT Wreckers provide the capability to recover disabled wheeled vehicles. The other HEMTTs include Fuel Tankers and Guided Missile Transporters to perform resupply missions. The HEMTT and Palletized Load System trailers transport bulk supplies to include fuel, ammunition, spare parts, and rations. Kuwait will use these heavy vehicles to transport and support heavy equipment, including their legacy M1A2 tanks and their new M1A2K main battle tank slated for delivery in 2021. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and the associated services into its armed forces.

The principal contractor will be Oshkosh Defense, LLC, Oshkosh, WI, for HEMTTs, HETs, PLS trailers, and support. The sub-contractor for commercial 635NL trailers will be Fontaine Trailers, Springville, AL. The sub-contractor for trailer flat racks will be Etnyre, Oregon, IL.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of ten to fifteen embedded U.S. contractor representatives to Kuwait for the duration of a 5-year program to provide training, field service representatives, fleet support, program management, and facility construction oversight.