Kuwait and Britain... Defense Cooperation from the Operations Room to Modern Technologies

- British military personnel continue to operate the “Rapid Centurion” air defense system in coordination with Kuwait

- Additional support provided through “Orca” capabilities against unmanned aerial systems

- Approximately 40 British military personnel were in Kuwait prior to the escalation, with dozens more joining them

- Exchange of expertise and operational experience to enhance Kuwaiti readiness

- The defense partnership is deep and multifaceted, having evolved over decades

Qadsi Rashid, the British Ambassador to Kuwait, affirmed that Kuwait’s security and stability remain a constant priority for his country. He emphasized the ongoing and developing defense cooperation between the two nations to address current and future threats, noting the presence of the British “Rapid Centurion” air defense and counter-drone system in Kuwait, alongside “Orca” capabilities, as well as the exchange of expertise, training, and operational coordination.

Speaking during a meeting with representatives of local media, Rashid stated that the Kuwaiti-British defense partnership is “deep and multifaceted,” having evolved over decades. It encompasses military training, defense education, operational cooperation, security consultations, and high-level dialogue between the armed forces and the governments of both countries.

He clarified that Britain stood by Kuwait during the crisis with Iran, working closely with Kuwaiti partners to support regional security and stability. He noted that his country deployed the “Rapid Centurion” air defense and counter-drone system in Kuwait following Iranian strikes in the region, to help protect British and Kuwaiti personnel and interests.

Rashid confirmed that the system has remained in Kuwait since last April, and the British military personnel responsible for its operation are still in the country. They will continue their work within air defense efforts in coordination with the Kuwaiti side. Britain has also provided additional support through “Orca” capabilities against unmanned aerial systems, alongside continued exchanges of expertise, training, and operational experience to enhance Kuwait’s readiness to face evolving threats.

Rashid pointed out that cooperation extends beyond equipment, including the presence of British officers for air monitoring at the air defense operations center. British military personnel also work alongside their Kuwaiti counterparts and personnel from other countries within command centers, contributing to the protection of Kuwait’s airspace.

He explained that “Rapid Centurion” is a comprehensive British system, not a single aircraft or piece of equipment. It includes means for surveillance, detection, tracking, and countermeasures against drones, and is linked to command centers to determine how to handle aerial threats.

The system covers a specific portion of Kuwait’s airspace, as a single system cannot cover the entire country. Other systems operated by Kuwait, the United States, and Jordan cover different areas.

The ambassador stated that Britain views defense cooperation with Kuwait on two levels: first, addressing current threats, and second, joint efforts over the next three to five years to develop the capabilities needed to confront future threats.

He noted that the British military mission has been a cornerstone of defense cooperation between the two countries for more than 30 years. Its personnel are permanently stationed in Kuwait, working with the Kuwaiti Armed Forces to provide training, advice, and expertise across a wide range of defense fields.

Rashid stated that he arrived in the country on October 1 of last year and had not expected Kuwait to be subjected to Iranian attacks. He explained that the escalation of tensions shifted his priorities, making his primary mission to demonstrate the UK’s political, diplomatic, and military support for Kuwait.

He noted that the attacks brought back memories of the 1990 invasion, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that the UK fulfills its obligations of friendship and partnership with Kuwait. He pointed to visits by British ministers and military officials to the country during the period of attacks to show solidarity, as well as the deployment of personnel, equipment, and defensive capabilities to support Kuwait.

He added that approximately 40 British military personnel were present in Kuwait prior to the escalation, working within the framework of cooperation with the Kuwaiti Armed Forces. Some of their roles have since shifted from training and education to supporting defensive operations.

Rashid said that the UK has changed its stance regarding the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as part of its efforts to preserve the two-state solution. He clarified that the official British position now considers the occupation itself illegal and unacceptable under international law, whereas previously the focus had been on the illegality of settlements.

He added that new measures include expanding sanctions related to illegal settlements, banning the import of products originating from them into the UK, and preventing British companies from providing services that support those settlements.

He stated that his country has also broadened the scope of restrictions on arms exports to Israel, so that the new scope covers arms that could be used to entrench the illegal occupation of the West Bank.

Rashid affirmed that “the rhetoric has changed, the policy has changed, and the measures have changed,” noting that London still views the two-state solution as the option capable of achieving peace and protecting the interests of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Rashid stressed that the challenges facing the region cannot be addressed by a single country alone, and that international cooperation is essential to de-escalate tensions, enhance stability, and protect the rules-based international order.

He reaffirmed the UK’s support for dialogue, diplomacy, and collective action among regional and international partners, which helps address shared challenges and reduce the risks of escalation.

Rashid said that deepening economic partnership between Kuwait and the UK was one of his main priorities during the past year, expressing pride in the progress made in strengthening trade ties and supporting business and investment opportunities across multiple sectors.

He considered the conclusion of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries an important milestone that lays the foundation for a more ambitious economic relationship in the coming years.

He clarified that the agreement has not yet entered into force, and that the UK and GCC countries, including Kuwait, are required to complete their necessary domestic procedures for ratification. He confirmed that there is currently no clear timeline for its entry into force.

Regarding travel, the ambassador revealed that the UK had issued approximately 244,000 Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) to Kuwaiti citizens by June 2026, with strong continued demand for travel to the UK for tourism, business, education, and family visits.

Rashid emphasized that education represents one of the strongest pillars of the Kuwaiti-British relationship, estimating the number of Kuwaiti students studying at British universities at around 14,000, including government-sponsored scholars and students who fund their studies independently. He noted that this figure is an estimate.

The ambassador noted that Kuwait hosted the first British school in the Gulf and currently includes 12 member schools of the British Schools in the Middle East Association, alongside other institutions offering the British curriculum and educating thousands of students. In the field of scientific research, he highlighted the British Council’s collaboration with universities, researchers, and institutions in both countries in areas such as health, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, water security, sustainability, and skills development.