The State Department approved two possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) on Tuesday to Kuwait for $100 million in fast patrol boats and Finland for $70 million in MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), respectively.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certifications to Congress on Feb. 20.
Kuwait requested 15 fast patrol boats outfitted with a total 36 .50 caliber machine guns (two per boat and six spares), support equipment, contractor engineering and logistics support service, and other program support for the total $100 million price tag.
The fast patrol boat prime contractor is Vigor Industrial’s Kvichak.
Kuwait intends to use these boats for maritime protection, interdiction, and patrols. DSCA said they will help the country “develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.”
Implementation of the sale will require multiple trips by U.S. government and contractor representatives to Kuwait to participate in technical and program reviews as well as support training and maintenance support on a temporary basis for 24 months. It will also need three contractor representatives to reside in the country for two years to support the program.
Separately, Finland is requesting four MK 41 Baseline VII Strike-Length Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) with spares, test equipment, manuals, documentation, and logistical support.
The primary contractor will be Lockheed Martin [LMT]. DSCA noted Finland typically requests offsets, but any final agreement will be defined in negations between Finland and Lockheed Martin.
Finland plans to use the VLS on its four new Squadron 2020-class corvettes. The agency underscored the VLS will allow Finland to then acquire missiles that will “significantly enhance the Finnish Navy’s area defense capabilities over critical air-and-sea-lines of trade and communication.”
The sale will also increase the Finnish Navy’s maritime interoperability, partnership, and regional security capabilities, DSCA added.
Implementation of the sale will require up to 12 U.S. government and five contractor representatives to provide support in Finland over 10 years.
The Finnish sale approval comes several weeks after the State Department approved the sale of 68 Evolves SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM) and associated equipment for $113 million. DSCA previously said Finland intends to use the ESSMs in the Squadron 2020-class Corvette ships (Defense Daily, Feb. 5).