Ambassador Tuba Nur Sönmez told attendees at the Turkish Embassy reception that relations between Kuwait and Türkiye continue to strengthen under the leadership of Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, based on mutual trust and respect. She stressed that the security of both countries is intertwined and that they have begun to reap the benefits of a government cooperation agreement in defense procurement concluded during the visit of Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled to Türkiye in 2024. Kuwait’s acquisition of Bayraktar TB2 drones stands as a concrete example of this defense cooperation, with Sönmez anticipating further advances in defense industries, military dialogue, training, exercises and broader security ties. Regional and international challenges only underscore the need to bolster such partnerships among friendly nations.
Sönmez affirmed that Türkiye remains committed to sharing its defense capabilities and expertise with partners, operating on the principle that security extends beyond military matters to include food, energy and water security. She described military power not as an end in itself but as a means to preserve peace and stability across the region. The ambassador also outlined how the Turkish Armed Forces and defense industries have advanced through modernization, investment in advanced technologies and a particular focus on unmanned aerial systems. Her remarks came as she expressed condolences to the families of Kuwaiti military and civilian personnel who lost their lives in Iranian attacks.
The event on August 31, 2026, marked Sönmez’s final Victory Day celebration after more than four years as ambassador, with the new Turkish envoy scheduled to arrive in Kuwait on September 15. She recalled Kuwait’s full support following the devastating 2023 earthquake in Türkiye and said the assistance from the Kuwaiti community would not be forgotten. Sönmez praised the hospitality and generosity of Kuwaiti society along with the vibrancy of local media during her tenure. Commander of the Kuwaiti Air Force Major General Fahad Fallah Fahiman served as guest of honor and joined her in cutting a ceremonial cake.
The foundation for closer defense ties was laid in June 2023 when Kuwait signed a $367 million contract with Turkish firm Baykar for Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles, according to an announcement from the Kuwaiti army. That agreement covered 18 drones, three ground control stations, simulators, 1,800 precision-guided munitions and three years of technical support, with delivery and commissioning taking place in 2025 at Salem Al-Sabah Air Base. Kuwait became the 28th nation to operate the TB2 system, which has demonstrated effectiveness across multiple conflict zones and bolstered the Gulf state’s surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capabilities.[[1]](https://apnews.com/article/kuwait-turkey-baykar-drone-bayraktar-dc24b4f801573dcc5fd604a99a4c7123)
A subsequent executive protocol signed in May 2024 during the Amir’s visit to Türkiye opened pathways for additional weapons acquisitions and joint training programs, a Breaking Defense assessment found. Kuwaiti officials have expressed particular interest in expanding cooperation on drones, counter-drone systems and air defense platforms produced by Turkish firms including Baykar, Aselsan and others. The protocol aligns with Kuwait’s ongoing military modernization efforts in a challenging regional environment, where strengthening defense capabilities remains a priority even absent immediate threats.[[2]](https://breakingdefense.com/2024/05/kuwaits-new-executive-protocol-with-turkey-could-mean-new-weapons-training/)
High-level exchanges have sustained momentum in the partnership, including President Erdoğan’s visit to Kuwait in October 2025, multiple trips by Kuwaiti foreign and defense ministers to Türkiye in 2026 and the participation of senior Kuwaiti officers at defense exhibitions. These engagements built on the successful integration of the TB2 fleet, with training programs completed for Kuwaiti operators in Türkiye. Turkish defense industries have achieved more than 80 percent self-sufficiency and hold roughly 65 percent of the global unmanned aerial vehicle market, positioning them as a reliable supplier for partners such as Kuwait, a Turkish official statement noted.
