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Pentagon plans arms boost for Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt
The Pentagon told Congress Monday it intended to provide training to Kuwaiti pilots and to sell kits to upgrade Hawk antiaircraft missiles already used by Jordan and Egypt.
Pilot training for 150 people will be provided Kuwait in an effort to help improve its security and the stability of the Persian Gulf region. This move comes about 10 days after Kuwait initialed a $327 million arms deal with the Soviet Union, which has been interpreted as a possible opening toward increased Soviet influence in the vital Persian Gulf area.
Hawk modification kits being sold to Jordan and Egypt will bring the missiles up to the standards of US Hawks. Congress has 30 days to act if it wishes to block the proposed sales to Kuwait or Egypt.
