Kuwait's ministry of defense has signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the U.S. Dept. of Defense for the purchase of 16 AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopters. With the signing of the 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.