Kuwait has placed a $156 million-order with an American company to purchase the Patriot air and missile defense system, according to news reports
Four Patriot missiles like the one shown here can be fired from this mobile launcher between loadings.
Photo: US Army
Kuwait was awarded the deal through the US Foreign Military Sales program.
Defense contractor Raytheon, based in Massachusetts, said it anticipated a resurgence of the Patriot program in the near future. Raytheon has said it is actively working on future sales of the Patriot with Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Other Middle Eastern countries that have purchased the program include Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The deal has been authorized by the United States government and will include an upgraded radar system to better detect potential targets.
The Patriot is a medium- to long-range missile used to counter aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and UAVs.
The system has faced criticism for failing to detect real threats in crowded air spaces.
The deal cements existing cooperation between the US and Kuwait, an ally of Washington in the war on terror.
Iran news 
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