Kuwait

Italy orders 2 new MQ-9As Reapers, as US seeks newer options

Rome previously ordered a handful of Reapers, but lost one of the drones in Libya in 2019, and another one was destroyed in March during an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.

Italy’s controversial Gulf military mission enters public spotlight

“This is certainly one of Italy’s most significant deployments to the Gulf in many years — its importance lies not only in the number of personnel, but, above all, in the quality and scarcity of capabilities sent,” one Italian analyst said.

US clears $8.6 billion arms sales to Middle East countries, ‘waiving’ congressional review

The possible deals include three countries buying APKWS, and Qatar could be purchasing more Patriot interceptors.

ST Engineering to serve as subcontractor for Kuwaiti navy vessels deal

The contract is valued at 600 million Singapore dollars (467.6 million USD).

US greenlights over $16B in ’emergency’ radar and missile sales to Middle East

The proposed deals include $8 billion-worth of radars for Kuwait and $8.4 billion in various air defense equipment for the United Arab Emirates.

‘Nightmare scenario’ for GCC countries, region as Iran unloads drones and missiles

“If Iranian attacks continue throughout this week, I would expect the Gulf Arab states to eventually participate in counter-attacks on Iran," one defense expert told Breaking Defense.

Barzan, EDGE team up for first Qatari-Emirati joint defense firm

“This joint venture with Barzan Holdings shows the importance EDGE places on trusted partnerships as we expand internationally," EDGE Group CEO Hamad Al Marar told Breaking Defense.

UAE’s EDGE Group inks $2.5 billion deal with Kuwait for naval vessels

Kuwait said the deal "will contribute to raising the level of combat readiness, enhancing maritime security, and protecting the vital and strategic maritime interests of the State of Kuwait."

Kuwait’s new ‘executive protocol’ with Turkey could mean new weapons, training

"As the Kuwaitis work to modernize their military, Ankara eyes the lion’s share of Kuwait’s defense procurements," analyst Ali Bakir told Breaking Defense. "Turkey is willing to offer a range of its modern, cost-effective and highly capable weapons..."

Kuwaiti Air Force’s new F-18s, Typhoons facing delivery delays

DUBAI: The year 2022 was supposed to be the year the Kuwait Air Force took almost full delivery of two long-awaited platforms that would double its size and multiply its capabilities. However, delays caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic have pushed the delivery and operationalization schedule to 2023 — which may end up a blessing […]

‘Mission Impossible?’ Interoperability Across Arab States

Enhancing interoperability across Arab states’ defense systems remains a holy grail that even alliances such as NATO find hard to achieve.

Congress: Drop Sec. 716 — FDA Exemption — From NDAA

The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act contains billions of dollars and much policy concerning medical research and, of course, matters relating to nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. We don’t cover most of those medical issues except when they relate to NBC issues or raise basic military policy considerations. This is one of those cases. In […]

After Mosul: Iraq’s Arab Neighbors Must Help Rebuild

On July 10, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, pulling on the same black uniform and jacket that Iraq’s elite counterterrorism forces wore throughout the battle for Mosul, declared the final liberation of the city from Daesh’s (aka ISIL) control. “I announce from here the end and the failure and the collapse of the terrorist state […]

Syria: Just Say No (To Regime Change)

  Sen. John McCain said in early February that, it “is time for the international community to abandon the absurd fiction of a political solution that leaves Assad in power (in Syria).” McCain, who was reacting to Amnesty International’s report about mass executions by Bashar al Assad’s regime, argued: “Bashar Assad does not belong in a […]