“.with this decision, Kuwait further strengthens the strategic partnership that has been linking our two countries over several decades”, the French defense minister said, adding that France and Kuwait have been operating “side by side in the fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria”. The first aircraft will be delivered to Kuwait in two and half years.
Advertisement
Kuwait had signed provisional agreements with France that included an order for 24 Airbus Caracal helicopters with an option for another six on October 21, 2015.
During the visit, Airbus Helicopters representatives recognized the key role played by French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian who provided his continued support to the realization of this project, in line with the existing France-Kuwait strategic relationship.
Airbus said the helicopters would be used for combat search-and-rescue, naval operations, medical evacuation and military transportation.
Meanwhile, business daily Les Echos reported bilateral talks are nearing conclusion on the sale of 120 Sherpa light vehicles from Renault Trucks Defense, modernization of eight Kuwait patrol boats, and missiles for the 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters already ordered. The order for that smaller number would be worth about €1 billion, a defense ministry official said at the time.
Advertisement
All civil Super Puma flights were grounded following a fatal crash in Norway in late April on concerns over the 11t-class helicopter’s gearbox. The helicopters will be operated by the Kuwait Air Force and the Kuwait National Guard. The Kuwaiti order is a much-needed boost for the Airbus Group’s helicopter division, which has been hit by weaker demand from the oil and gas industry.
