The World : Kuwait Dealing for F-18s

Kuwait wants to buy 40 F-18s, the Navy’s newest and hottest fighter-bombers, in what would be the first sale of the advanced warplane to an Arab nation, an Administration official told Congress. Assistant Secretary of State Richard W. Murphy disclosed Kuwait’s request during testimony before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee. The Administration will notify Congress soon of its intention to proceed with the sale, which Congress must approve. The McDonnell Douglas jets cost $17 million each, making the potential sale worth at least $680 million. The F-18 has been sold only to Canada, Australia and Spain, a company spokesman said.