Kuwait Signs Agreement To Purchase Sixteen Boeing Apache Longbows
(Source : Boeing Company ; issued Sept. 3, 2002)
[With thanks to www.defense-aerospace.com ]

ST. LOUIS --- Kuwait's ministry of defense has signed a letter of offer
and acceptance with the U.S. Department of Defense for the purchase of 16
AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopters. With the signing of this
agreement, Kuwait becomes the seventh international defense force to select
the AH-64D and the eleventh Apache customer worldwide.

Once the foreign military sales agreement is complete, the U.S. Army
will contract with Boeing and other team Apache industry members on behalf
of Kuwait for the aircraft and equipment. The total program, which is
expected to approach $900 million, includes the acquisition of the Longbow
fire control radar, ordnance -- including Hellfire missiles -- spare parts,
training services and maintenance support.

Production and delivery information for these aircraft -- to be used by
the Kuwait Air Force -- has not been disclosed.

The AH-64D Apache Longbow is produced by Boeing in Mesa, Ariz. In
addition to the multiyear contract with the U.S. Army to remanufacture 269
AH-64As into the Apache Longbow configuration through 2006, Boeing is under
contract or in negotiation to produce Apaches for several international
customers and a number of potential customers are evaluating the system.

The AH-64D Apache features fully integrated avionics and weapons plus a
state-of-the-art modem that transmits real-time, secure, digitized
battlefield information to air and ground forces. The Apache Longbow is the
world's only fourth-generation attack helicopter and the only combat
helicopter in service with the ability to rapidly detect, classify,
prioritize and engage stationary or moving enemy targets at standoff ranges
in nearly all weather environments.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one
of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St.
Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It
provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial
customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the
world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based
communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense;
NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.

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