Kuwait Contracts Turkey for Drone Imports

Kuwait confirmed today, Tuesday, that it has signed a contract with Turkey to supply an undisclosed number of armed Bayraktar TB2 drones valued at $367 million. This was stated in consecutive announcements from the Government Communication Center and the Kuwaiti Army on their Twitter account, confirming a previous announcement from the Turkish side in January. The Kuwaiti Army’s statement indicated that the contract was "made through direct negotiations between the Government of the State of Kuwait and the friendly Government of the Republic of Turkey without the involvement of any intermediaries." International demand for Bayraktar TB2 drones has increased following their use in conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan, with interest further heightened after their deployment by the Ukrainian army in its war with Russian forces. The Kuwaiti Army's statement emphasized that the purpose of the deal is to "enhance the defensive capabilities of the Kuwaiti army."