In a significant advancement of its defense capabilities, Kuwait has received its first shipment of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey.
The delivery was marked by a formal event at Ali Al Salem Air Base, signaling the start of Kuwait’s integration of advanced drone technology into its military operations.
This follows the country’s substantial investment of $367 million in the TB2 fleet to enhance its autonomous air capabilities for missions such as precision strikes, reconnaissance, border and maritime surveillance, and search-and-rescue operations.
The contract also includes vital logistical and sustainment components to ensure smooth deployment and long-term functionality.
At the launch event, attendees were presented with a detailed technical briefing on the drones’ performance features, after which a live demo was conducted. Government representatives toured operational and support facilities and met with Kuwaiti personnel assigned to the Bayraktar program.
With this deal, Kuwait becomes the 29th international operator of the Bayraktar TB2 — a UAV platform that has been widely used in real-world combat scenarios, including in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan.
The Bayraktar TB2 is a versatile Turkish drone measuring 7 meters in length with a 12-meter wingspan.
It features high-tech onboard systems such as GPS, electro-optical and infrared sensors, a laser range finder, and a 100 HP engine.
It can stay airborne for up to 27 hours, fly at speeds up to 120 knots, reach a service ceiling of 8,230 meters, and has an operational control range of 150 kilometers.
Initial test flights by the Kuwait Air Force were conducted earlier this year in the Kisah area, confirming the system’s operational readiness.
