Kuwait's Defense Minister attends launch of first batch of light ammunition production at Naif Light Ammunition Factory

Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah today, Wednesday, inaugurated the production of the first batch of light ammunition at the Nayef Light Ammunition Factory, the first of its kind in the State of Kuwait. The Ministry of Defense said in a statement that this came during the minister’s patronage and attendance at the production launch ceremony hosted by the Supply and Logistics Authority. The defense minister emphasized, according to the statement, the importance of continuing to develop national military industries and enhancing their production capacities in accordance with the highest quality and safety standards. He praised the efforts made to complete strategic military projects, stressing the importance of investing in national competencies and expertise to support the defense readiness system and open broader horizons for achieving sustainable development of the country’s military industries.

For his part, Brigadier General Engineer Salah Al-Azmi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Supply and Logistics Authority, said in a speech on this occasion that the factory is one of the most important strategic projects aimed at localizing defensive military industries. He added that the factory aims to build a national industrial base capable of meeting military and security needs, thereby enhancing self-sufficiency and supporting capabilities in this field.

The launch ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff of the Army Major General Khaled Al-Sharhan, Deputy Minister of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Mishaal Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy of the National Guard Major General Hamad Al-Burjess, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Affairs at the Ministry of Interior Brigadier General Hamad Al-Munifi, Acting Chief of the General Fire Force Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Qahtani, and a number of senior commanding officers in the army.

On February 16, 2026, under the patronage and attendance of His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, the opening ceremony of the Nayef Light Ammunition Factory was held, during which His Highness pressed the button to start the factory, signaling the official commencement of work on the light ammunition production line. The factory represents the Ministry of Defense’s first experience in ammunition manufacturing in Kuwait. The production stages and mechanisms comply with the requirements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding the manufacture of light ammunition. (End) A.J.R.