Defense Minister: Importance of Investing in National Competencies and Expertise to Support the Defense Readiness System
Press coverage 2 newspapers covered this event: Al-Anba · Al-Qabas →
Defense Minister inaugurates production of light ammunition at the Naif factory to enhance self-sufficiency
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah inaugurated the production of the first batch of light ammunition at the Naif Light Ammunition Factory on Wednesday, marking the first facility of its kind in Kuwait.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defense said the event took place under the patronage and attendance of Minister Al-Sabah, who attended the inauguration ceremony hosted by the Supply and Logistics Authority. The minister emphasized the importance of continuing to develop national military industries and enhancing their production capabilities 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 the 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.
Attendees at the inauguration ceremony included Chief of Staff of the Army Major General Khalid Al-Sharhan, Deputy Minister of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Misha’al 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 several senior commanding officers of the army.
On February 16, 2026, under the patronage and attendance of Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the opening ceremony of the Naif Light Ammunition Factory was held. His Highness pressed the button to start the factory, signaling the official commencement of operations for 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 NATO requirements for the manufacture of light ammunition.
