Italy’'s presence in the Persian Gulf’ and military cooperation with Kuwait are being strengthened. Leonardo has signed a contract with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a subsidiary of EDGE Group’, to supply naval combat systems for the latest generation of patrol ships ordered from Kuwait’'s shipbuilder.
Kuwait launched by ordering the modernization of the maritime component as part of the “Al Dorra” program. eight FALAJ 3 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV’ler)United Arab Emirates’nde was built by ADSB.
Military and trade agreements between Italy and Kuwait
The military and trade cooperation between Italy and Kuwait was consolidated last year: Italian Air Force and Kuwait Air Force renew their partnership in Eurofighter Typhoon jets, A three-year agreement is signed.Providing personnel training, support in electronic warfare and joint management of activities.
In 2016, the Kuwait ordered 28 advanced aircraft built by Leonardo in ’, Italy.Most of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s are already operating in the Emirate’te. Kuwait's Ministry of Defense also expanded its integrated logistics support and local training services. These activities will Provided by Leonardo Aviation ServicesAli al Salem at the air base until December 2029’, reinforcing the strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Kuwait’te Italy’ also has an active military presence. 320 soldiers were deployed at Ali al Salem base.The Italian Ministry of Defense announced that the “Car Fenice” Task Group's MQ-9A “Predator” unmanned aircraft and the “Typhoon” Task Group's F-2000A “Eurofighter” jets are also deployed here, and that its mission is to effectively contribute to “ operations aimed at definitively defeating ’ISISID”.
An MQ-9A unmanned aerial vehicle parked at the base was shot down last March in a Tehran’ attack two weeks after the start of the US-Israeli ’'s war against Iran’, but no injuries were reported among Italian personnel and no damage to other assets.
Troops at Ali al Salem base carry out surveillance, reconnaissance and data collection activities. IraqTo help ensure the safety of civilian and military personnel operating in ’.
The Italian union is also conducting joint exercises with the Iraqi Air Force, which aims to promote integration and training sharing for cooperation that will serve peace and stability throughout the region.
How does Leonardo strengthen his presence in the Persian Gulf ’?
Returning to the collaboration between Leonardo and EDGE, the partnership signed twenty years ago made this possible. will supply about 30 marine units.The deal for patrol ships ordered by Kuwait is estimated to be worth 320 million euros and includes the supply of Leonardo’'s Combat Management System (CMS), the 76 mm SUPER RAPIDO cannon equipped with STRALES guided ammunition, and the KRONOS NAVAL HP radar.
The consolidation of cooperation between Leonardo and EDGE Group is accelerating creation of a joint ventureIt was announced in June and is scheduled to be operational in 2026. the Company 's ’i Emirate group and ’u will belong to the Italian group and will cover the following activities: United Arab Emirates’nde from design to production and training.
The project also focuses on the issuance of intellectual property licenses and the development of a skilled local workforce. This agreement confirms the model's competitiveness in the global defense market and strengthens the Italian group's presence in the Persian Gulf ’.
