DEFENSE ALERT: Kuwait Inducts Turkish Bayraktar TB2 Combat Drone into Air Force Fleet.

According to information published by the ArabNews website on July 17, 2025, the State of Kuwait officially inducted the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) into active service during a formal military ceremony held at Salem Al-Sabah Air Base. The induction marks a key milestone in Kuwait’s broader initiative to modernize its armed forces, with Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah affirming the move as a strategic leap forward in air defense capability.
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Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah and senior military officials attend the official induction ceremony of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone at Salem Al-Sabah Air Base on July 17, 2025. (Picture source: Kuwait News Agency)

The event included a live operational demonstration and a detailed technical briefing highlighting the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2’s advanced drone surveillance and strike capabilities. Defense officials and military leadership in attendance included Major General Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, deputy chief of staff of the Kuwaiti Army, Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Hamdan, commander of the Kuwaiti Air Force, and senior officers from the Salem Al-Sabah Air Base. The ceremony underscored Kuwait’s commitment to integrating high-performance UAVs into its military structure, focusing on real-time intelligence gathering, tactical reconnaissance, and precision strike capabilities.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Baykar, one of Türkiye’s leading defense technology firms. Designed for both reconnaissance and strike missions, the TB2 can operate at altitudes up to 27,000 feet and remain airborne for over 27 hours. It is capable of carrying a payload of up to 150 kilograms, including precision-guided munitions such as the MAM-L and MAM-C smart micro munitions developed by Turkish defense firm Roketsan. The platform is equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors, laser designators, and advanced avionics, enabling precise target acquisition and strike operations in complex environments. The TB2 has earned global recognition for its operational success in multiple theaters of conflict, where it has demonstrated cost-effective lethality, battlefield endurance, and strategic impact, reshaping modern UAV warfare.

Kuwait’s decision to procure the TB2 reflects a growing defense partnership between Kuwait and Türkiye, grounded in shared regional security interests and expanding bilateral military cooperation. The $367 million contract signed in 2023 marked a significant defense deal between the two nations, showcasing Kuwait’s confidence in Turkish-made platforms and Ankara’s growing influence in the Gulf defense market. Beyond the TB2 deal, the two countries have been fostering closer ties through joint training programs, military exchanges, and technology collaboration, with Türkiye increasingly positioning itself as a defense supplier to GCC countries seeking alternatives to traditional Western suppliers. The training of Kuwaiti personnel in Turkiye earlier this year is emblematic of this strategic relationship, emphasizing not just the transfer of hardware, but also knowledge and operational expertise.

The Kuwaiti Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah highlighted the importance of the acquisition of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones in fulfilling Kuwait’s strategic vision to enhance deterrence, secure national airspace, and adopt advanced defense solutions. He also stressed the value of developing national talent to operate and maintain such platforms, positioning Kuwait as a regional player in defense innovation. The induction of the Bayraktar TB2 is not only a significant addition to Kuwait’s air combat capabilities but also reflects a deepening defense partnership between Kuwait and Türkiye.