Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUWAIT1119
2009-11-25 13:30:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAITI MINDEF GREENLIGHTS KC130J SALES

Tags:  PREL PGOV MASS MARR KU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8711
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #1119/01 3291330
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 251330Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4235
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001119 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NEA/ARP, NEA/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS MARR KU
SUBJECT: KUWAITI MINDEF GREENLIGHTS KC130J SALES

Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and
d

Summary
--------

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001119

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NEA/ARP, NEA/RA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS MARR KU
SUBJECT: KUWAITI MINDEF GREENLIGHTS KC130J SALES

Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and
d

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Kuwaiti MinDef Shaykh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al
Sabah conveyed to Ambassador on November 23 his support for
the long-delayed Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the
purchase of the KC130J aircraft. He attributed the delays in
signing the LOA to bureaucratic and budgetary processes
within the Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance and downplayed
concerns that it would not be signed eventually. The very
cordial meeting, in which the MinDef confirmed Kuwaiti strong
commitment to the bilateral defense relationship, afforded
Ambassador an opportunity to pitch C-17 and F-35 sales as
well. End summary.

Advancing KC130J Sales
--------------


2. (C) In pressing for the signing of the long-delayed LOA
for the foreign military sale (FMS) of the six KC-130Js and
associated training, support, and equipment, Ambassador
stressed to the MinDef that the KC130J would serve as a vital
component of Kuwait's strategic arsenal. She welcomed
Kuwaiti consideration of non-USG equipment -- a nod to
Kuwaiti deliberations over French Rafale purchases
-- but advised the GOK to consider all the associated costs
for maintenance and support, as well as the critical issue of
interoperability, when considering such purchases. The
Ambassador also reminded the MinDef of Kuwait's previous
experience with the French following Iraqi's invasion of
Kuwait, when the Kuwaiti Mirage aircraft were grounded due to
maintenance problems and lack of munitions, and the French
were unable to deliver.


3. (C) Ambassador also conveyed to the MinDef that per her
conversations at last week's Dubai Air Show, Kuwait's
prospective Deputy Chief of Staff and acting Air Force
Commander were favorably disposed to the purchase of the
KC130J. (Note: After the meeting, Kuwait AF Brig General
Waleed al-Ateeqi thanked the Ambassador for pushing this sale
forward. End note.) Acknowledging the price increase since
the initial offer, Ambassador pledged USG commitment to

negotiating with the vendor to get the best value, pending
the MinDef's signature on the LOA. The MinDef attributed the
delay in the LOA signature to Ministry of
Finance bureaucratic and budgetary decisions, but downplayed
any concerns the LOA would not be signed, joking that "since
I'm acting PM now, I guess I will just have to order myself
to sign it!"


4. (S/NF) (Note: The KMOD J2 -- who is the presumptive
DCOS -- confided to OMC-K November 25 that Kuwait intends to
sign for the LOA "as is" to avoid further delays, but plans
to amend the terms at a later date to purchase only three of
the KC130Js (instead of the planned six),and to use the
remaining funds to buy one C-17. The J2 stated that this
information is not public knowledge, and he asked that
details of this deal not be discussed, even with the
presumptive COS. End note.)

MinDef's Eid Wish List
--------------


5. (C) Ambassador also added that the MinDef's senior AF
staff showed interest at the air show in the C-17 which, per
earlier exchanges, the Amir also wanted. Our understanding
following the air show was that the Kuwaiti AF is drafting a
request for Pricing and Availability via the FMS route. The
MinDef asked laughingly what other planes were shown to his
staff at the Dubai Airshow; "had we compared the French,
British and American fighters? Which was the best?"
Ambassador replied "The F-22," to which he immediately
replied "But that's not for sale!" Ambassador suggested the
F-35 might be the ideal platform for Kuwait's AF once it
phases out the F-18's. Raising the "French planes," the
MinDef volunteered that the Amir had said to French President
Sarkozy during the latter's visit to Kuwait February 2009
only that Kuwait would be interested in Rafales "if the price
were right" and the aircraft made sense. In fact, there was
no intention at present to purchase other than French naval
vessels and associated armaments. (Note: FM Dr Mohammed
told Ambassador last week that the Rafale sale did not make
sense for Kuwait, although he thought they would turn to the
French for civilian nuclear facilities, also pushed by

KUWAIT 00001119 002 OF 002


Sarkozy during the same trip, since "the French have much
more experience in that area." The FM urged the Ambassador
to press the PM not to purchase the Rafales. End note.)

Defense Relationship Strong
--------------


6. (C) The Mindef graciously accepted the Ambassador's
apology for minor annoyances -- such as the recent loud
demolition by a USN team of an unidentified floating object
opposite the MinDef's beachfront chalet while he was there
with his family and the mistaken landing of two US Marine
Corps helicopters at the wrong (poorly marked) military
helipad -- assuring the Ambassador that the bilateral defense
cooperation remains strong, and American appreciation for
Kuwaiti hospitality is well understood.

Encouraging Development of Regional Air Defense Center
-------------- --------------


7. (C) Ambassador extolled the successful conduct of the
recent Kuwaiti-led "Arrows of the Gulf" Gulf Cooperation
Council military exercise, in particular the performance of
Kuwait's F-18 and Apache pilots. She added that Kuwait's
exemplary management of its two Patriot batteries over the
years had led General Petraeus to suggest that perhaps Kuwait
could serve as a regional air defense center. The MinDef was
visibly pleased with this praise.

JMC Postponement; Iran
--------------


8. (C) Ambassador regretted the postponement of the Joint
Military Commission (JMC) until January, but noted that this
delay afforded the opportunity to develop a better sense of
vision for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which will
impact discussion of the future US military footprint in
Kuwait. In response to Ambassador's inquiry about press
reports (in the wake of the PM's November 21-22 visit to
Iran) that Kuwait was "opening a special port" solely for
Iranian imports, the MinDef was dismissive, but observed
wryly that in point of fact Iran owed the US a debt of
gratitude for having removed the threats of Iraq
and Taliban on its borders.

Comment:
--------------


9. (C) The meeting with the MinDef (currently acting PM),
conducted in an extremely cordial atmosphere, began late due
to traffic jams and a delayed prior meeting with the Minister
of Interior. Waving off apologies, the MinDef quipped that
naturally it was the Interior Minister causing problems, thus
his being targeted for Parliamentary grilling. The MinDef --
a perennial rival of the PM -- also faces potential
questioning by the National Assembly and has himself been
rumored as a potential loser in any
future cabinet reshuffle given his animus towards the PM.
His ebullience during the meeting, however, suggests he
believes his Cabinet position to be secure -- at least for
now. End comment.

********************************************* *********
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
visit Kuwait's Classified Website at:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it
********************************************* *********
WILLIAMS