ocr: The liberation of. Kuwait boostedthe armed forces' prestige. Military equipment is purchasedmostly from the USA, UK and France. Weapons systems are advanced andinclude Patriot missiles and AWACS early warning radar. However, slalled foreign personnel operate many of these: - 1,000 US Air Force troops are employed to keep AWACS tying. The air force is the elite branch ofthe military. It had one briefperiod of politicization in 1969 when otticers attempteda coup. The paramilitary National Guardis drawn from tribal supporters ofthe Al-Sa'udregime. Its commander-in- chiefis the Crown Prince rather ...
