https://arab.news/985hg
- Drone was unveiled during a ceremony attended by Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah and top army generals
- In 2023, Kuwait signed a $367-million contract with Turkish defense firm Baykar to purchase its TB2 war drones
LONDON: Kuwaiti armed forces incorporated the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone into their air combat fleet during a ceremony at Salem Al-Sabah Air Base on Thursday.
Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah was joined by Major General Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, deputy chief of staff of the Kuwaiti Army, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Al-Hamdan, the Air Force commander, as well as the commander of the Salem Al-Sabah Air Base and several air force officers.
In 2023, Kuwait signed a $367-million contract with Turkish defense firm Baykar to purchase its TB2 drones, which have been used in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, Libya and Azerbaijan.
Sheikh Abdullah said that integrating drones aligned with Kuwait’s leadership vision to enhance military readiness and adopt cutting-edge defense technologies, according to the Kuwait News Agency. The ceremony featured a comprehensive technical presentation showcasing TB2 drone’s surveillance, reconnaissance and air-support capabilities.
In February, pilots and shooters from the Kuwaiti air force trained and tested the Bayraktar TB2 at the Baykar company training center in the Kisah region of Turkiye.
The defense minister emphasized the need to invest in local expertise and train personnel to operate advanced systems for protecting Kuwait’s airspace, borders and resources. The incorporation of TB2 marked a significant step in Kuwait’s defense modernization efforts, he added.