Exports of Jaguar aircraft from UK to Kuwait

This file concerns the proposed sale of Jaguar aircraft to Kuwait. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Proposals for the visit to Kuwait by a representative of British Aircraft Corporation Limited to promote the Jaguar
• Objections to the proposed sale of Jaguars to Kuwait on the grounds of Kuwait’s proximity to and involvement in the Arab-Israeli conflict; the maintenance of the balance of power in the region; and the risk of the aircraft being transferred to Egypt
• Arguments in favour, on the grounds that HMG has already approved of the sale of Jaguars to Saudi Arabia and Qatar; the economic benefits of the sale; the risk an Iraqi attack against Kuwait; and the need for HMG to be seen by Saudi Arabia and Iran to be supporting Kuwait
• HMG’s approval for the sale
• Competition with France and the US for the sale of aircraft to Kuwait; and the question of cooperating with the French in the sale of Jaguars, the Jaguar being a joint Anglo-French concern
• The Kuwait government’s ban on the use of consultants for arms deals, and the question of undertaking a direct government-to-government sale
• The insertion of a ‘no re-export clause’ in the contract for the sale of Jaguars both to Saudi Arabia and to Kuwait, to ensure that no aircraft are subsequently transferred to Egypt; and the question of seeking French approval for the use of the clause
• The question of undertaking Jaguar demonstrations in Kuwait
• The visit of a team from the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) to Britain to observe and fly Jaguars
• Article from Le Monde concerning competition between France and Britain for the sale of aircraft to Kuwait (in French)
• Delays to the presentation of proposals for the sale due to the 1973 Arab-Israeli War
• The importance of providing adequate provision for the training, servicing and assistance of the aircraft to increase the likelihood of the sale
• The drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding on security with Kuwait for the purpose of ensuring the security of British operational capabilities in the event of a deal
• The need to expand the Kuwait Liaison Team to undertake sufficient training for the KAF to operate Jaguars in the event of a successful sale