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Italy’s presence in the Persian Gulf and its military cooperation with Kuwait are being strengthened. Leonardo has signed a contract with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a subsidiary of the EDGE Group, to supply naval combat systems for latest-generation patrol vessels ordered from the shipbuilder by Kuwait.
As part of the “Al Dorra” programme, Kuwait has launched a modernisation of its maritime component by ordering eight FALAJ 3 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) built in the United Arab Emirates by ADSB.
Military and commercial agreements between Italy and Kuwait
Military and commercial cooperation between Italy and Kuwait was consolidated last year: the Italian Air Force and the Kuwait Air Force renewed their partnership on Eurofighter Typhoon jets, signing a three-year agreement that provides for personnel training, support in electronic warfare and the joint management of activities.
In 2016, Kuwait ordered 28 advanced aircraft built in Italy by Leonardo. Most of the Eurofighter Typhoons are already operational in the emirate. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence has also extended integrated logistic support and local training services. These activities will be provided by Leonardo Aviation Services at Ali al Salem air base until December 2029, consolidating strategic cooperation between the two countries.
In Kuwait, Italy also has an active military presence with 320 troops deployed at the Ali al Salem base, where MQ-9A “Predator” unmanned aircraft of Task Group “Araba Fenice” and F-2000A “Eurofighter” jets of Task Group “Typhoon” are also stationed, with the mission of contributing effectively to operations “aimed at definitively defeating Daesh”, the Italian Ministry of Defence explains.
An MQ-9A drone parked at the base was hit last March, two weeks after the start of the war pitting the United States and Israel against Iran, in an attack by Tehran, but no injuries were reported among Italian personnel and there was no damage to other assets.
At the Ali al Salem base, the troops carry out surveillance, reconnaissance and data-gathering activities, in order to help guarantee the security of the civilian population and military personnel operating in Iraq.
The Italian contingent also conducts joint exercises with the Iraqi Air Force, aimed at promoting integration and the sharing of training, with a view to cooperation in the service of peace and stability across the region.
How Leonardo is strengthening its presence in the Persian Gulf
Returning to the cooperation between Leonardo and EDGE, the partnership signed twenty years ago has made it possible to supply around 30 naval units. The agreement for the patrol vessels ordered by Kuwait is estimated to be worth 320 million euros and includes the supply by Leonardo of the Combat Management System (CMS), the 76 mm SUPER RAPIDO gun equipped with STRALES guided ammunition, and the KRONOS NAVAL HP radar.
The consolidation of cooperation between Leonardo and the EDGE Group is speeding up the creation of a joint venture, announced in June and scheduled to become operational in the course of 2026. The company will be 51% owned by the Emirati group and 49% by the Italian group, covering activities ranging from design to production and training in the United Arab Emirates.
The project also focuses on the granting of intellectual property licences and on developing a skilled local workforce. This agreement confirms the competitiveness of the model in the global defence market and strengthens the Italian group’s presence in the Persian Gulf.