The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reportedly approved $500m of funding to purchase Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s military capabilities.
The additional funds are expected to be withdrawn from the country’s general reserve fund, reported state news agency KUNA.
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In January, the Kuwaiti Parliament approved $10bn in additional funds for military spending over the next ten years.
For the last two years, Kuwait has been evaluating options to replace its fleet of 39 older-model Boeing F/A-18 Hornet jets.
Last September, Kuwait signed an agreement with Italy to purchase 28 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a foreplane / delta-wing aircraft featuring modern avionics and sensors, as well as a defensive aids sub-system (DASS).
It also features distinct weapons, such as the Mauser BK-27 27mm cannon, air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles and precision-guided munitions.
Built by a consortium of Finmeccanica, Airbus Group and BAE Systems, the Typhoon’s development is Europe’s largest multinational military collaboration managed by the Nato Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA).
Since 2003, a total of 444 Eurofighters have been delivered to Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia.
Oman also ordered 12 aircraft in December 2012.
Image: A Eurofighter Typhoon in action. Photo: courtesy of Peter Gronemann / Flickr.
