Sonmez: Wide Opportunities to Develop Kuwait-Turkey Defense Cooperation
Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait, Topa Nur Sonmez, expressed confidence that Kuwaiti-Turkish cooperation in the defense industry will witness further development in the coming phase, amid growing security challenges facing the region. She emphasized that Kuwait’s acquisition of “Bayraktar TB2” drones represents one of the most prominent models of defense cooperation between the two countries.
Sonmez, in her speech at an event hosted by the Turkish Embassy to mark “Victory Day” on Sunday, attended by Air Force Commander Major General Pilot Fahad Al-Kharinji and a gathering of accredited diplomatic mission heads, stated that relations between the two countries are witnessing continuous development across various fields. She noted that defense cooperation has become one of the important dimensions of this partnership, alongside military dialogue, training, exercises, and the defense industry.
On the sidelines of the event, Sonmez underscored the importance of defense and security cooperation between Kuwait and Turkey, pointing out that the government-to-government agreement on defense procurement signed by the two countries during the visit of Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, to Turkey two years ago, has begun to bear fruit through enhanced cooperation in the defense industry sector.
She stated that Kuwaiti-Turkish cooperation in this field has seen notable progress in recent years, considering that current regional and international conditions make enhancing security, stability, and defense cooperation among friendly nations “more important than ever.”
She explained that Turkey has experienced rapid development in its defense industry over the past 15 years, noting that Ankara does not view this development solely from a national perspective, but is keen to share its capabilities and expertise with friendly countries, foremost among them Kuwait, based on the conviction that “security is interconnected.”
She added that the concept of security is no longer limited to the military aspect, but now encompasses food, energy, and water security, in addition to military security. She affirmed that “our security is linked to the security of others; if my neighbor is not secure, I will not be secure either.”
The Turkish Ambassador confirmed that defense cooperation with Kuwait includes, alongside defense industry and procurement, areas such as military dialogue, training, and exercises, stressing the importance of continuously developing this partnership to serve the security and stability of both countries.
She emphasized that her country places great importance on dialogue, diplomacy, cooperation, and mutual respect, alongside enhancing defense capabilities, affirming that military strength is not an end in itself, but a tool in the service of peace and stability.
During the national occasion, she recalled the families of military personnel and civilians who lost their lives in Kuwait “due to Iranian attacks,” offering her condolences to their relatives, while simultaneously praising the sacrifices of members of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces and their role in protecting the country’s security and its people.
Sonmez expressed confidence that Kuwaiti-Turkish relations will continue to develop in the coming years, emphasizing that what has been achieved so far “is not enough,” and that both countries possess broad opportunities to build further cooperation and enhance their partnership across various fields.
