Kuwait has inked a contract with Ankara to procure Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, signaling a move to bolster its defense capabilities.
The deal, valued at $367 million, was announced in a statement released by the Kuwaiti army.
According to the statement, the contract for the supply of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles was directly established between the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense and the Turkish side, with no intermediaries involved. The total value of the deal has been confirmed at $367 million.
While the statement did not disclose the exact number of drones Kuwait will receive or the delivery date, it highlighted the proven effectiveness of the Bayraktar TB2 drone, which has already demonstrated its capabilities in Libya, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.
In a statement published in January, Baykar, the manufacturer of the Bayraktar TB2, had announced the signing of a $370 million contract with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense for the sale of these drones. However, specific details regarding the quantity and delivery date were not disclosed at that time.
The Kuwaiti statement outlined that the agreement includes the provision of support equipment and ground tests, logistical maintenance, training for pilots and technicians from the national workforce, as well as a guarantee of spare parts availability throughout the contract period. Additionally, it involves the establishment of a simulation system and the provision of technical support for a duration of three years.
The deal also encompasses the setup of specialized facilities to support these drones, including armament, electronic warfare equipment, and mobile ground control stations.
Emphasizing its objective to enhance the defense capabilities of the Kuwaiti army, the statement underscored the high technical capabilities of the Bayraktar TB2 drones. These capabilities encompass reconnaissance, targeting, and support for military operations, as well as intelligence gathering. The drones are also capable of carrying a variety of weapons, such as laser-guided missiles and smart bombs.
With a length of 6.5 meters, the Bayraktar TB2 is approximately half the weight of its American counterpart, the Reaper. It boasts the capacity to carry up to four laser-guided munitions.
Kuwait’s decision to acquire these drones follows the footsteps of several sister and friendly countries, including various Gulf Cooperation Council states, which have already procured the Bayraktar TB2 drones to enhance their defense capabilities.
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