Kuwait has officially integrated the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 combat drone into its air combat fleet, during a ceremony held at Salem Al-Sabah Air Base on Thursday.

The event was attended by key military officials, including Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah and several high-ranking officers from the Kuwaiti Armed Forces.

The $367-million contract signed in 2023 between Kuwait and Baykar, a Turkish defense firm, facilitated the acquisition of these drones.

These unmanned aerial vehicles have previously been utilized in various conflicts, including those in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan.

The integration of TB2 drones aligns with Kuwait's strategic vision to bolster its military readiness by adopting cutting-edge defense technologies.

During the ceremony, Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the importance of investing in local expertise and training personnel to effectively operate advanced systems for safeguarding Kuwait’s airspace, borders, and resources.

This move is seen as a substantial step forward in the nation’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities.