The Kuwait Army announced that a delegation headed by Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Saleem Al-Sabah traveled to Pakistan for high-level talks that culminated in the signing of a new defence protocol. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Saleem met his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Muhammad Asif in Rawalpindi where both ministers inked the Protocol Agreement-2026 which builds on the Defence Cooperation Agreement concluded in 2023. The pact was witnessed by Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Khaled Al-Shuraian and Kuwait’s ambassador to Pakistan Nassar Al-Mutairi according to an official statement distributed by the Kuwait Army General Headquarters.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations reported that under the new agreement Pakistani armed forces will provide assistance to their Kuwaiti counterparts across training capacity building border management and additional mutually agreed defence fields. The ISPR said the Kuwaiti delegation also held talks with Field Marshal Asim Munir Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces at General Headquarters focusing on regional security and bilateral military matters. These engagements reflect ongoing efforts to deepen institutional links between the two armed forces a pattern that has included reciprocal visits throughout the past year.
Kuwait ratified the underlying 2023 defence pact in July 2026 through decree-law number 73 which was published in the official gazette and outlined cooperation in training education intelligence sharing logistics and defence technology. The latest protocol signed last month creates a joint military committee to oversee implementation including joint exercises official visits and expertise exchanges. Kuwait Times noted that the framework also extends to military manufacturing scientific research and even cultural and sports activities between the two militaries.
The two countries have maintained close military relations for decades with Pakistan regularly supplying training support and personnel to Kuwaiti units a cooperation that gained renewed focus after the 2023 agreement. Similar Pakistani defence arrangements exist with Saudi Arabia where troop deployments and joint exercises have become established features of GCC security partnerships according to regional diplomatic records. The fresh protocol therefore fits into a broader pattern of Gulf states formalising military assistance from Pakistan to address shared security challenges.
In a detailed post on its official X account the Kuwait Army described the agreement as a significant milestone that enhances operational coordination expertise exchange and overall readiness levels for both forces. The statement added that the pact serves common interests while contributing to regional security and stability across the area. Senior officers from both sides attended the various sessions ensuring comprehensive discussions on all aspects of the bilateral defence relationship.
Earlier related contacts included a June 2026 visit by a Pakistani army operations director to Kuwait where Lieutenant General Khaled Al-Shuraian reviewed ways to expand coordination in defence fields. KUNA reported at the time that those talks covered bilateral relations and prospects for joint activities serving mutual interests. The August visit by the Kuwaiti side therefore represents a continuation of steady high-level engagement aimed at translating earlier understandings into concrete programmes.
