Kuwait Ratifies Strategic Defense Pact With Pakistan

The Government of Kuwait has formally ratified a strategic defense cooperation agreement with Pakistan, originally signed in June 2023. The pact, published in the official gazette Kuwait Alyawm, establishes a framework for intelligence sharing, military training, logistics support, and the exchange of technical personnel. To oversee the implementation of annual cooperation plans, the Ministry of Defense of the State of Kuwait and the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will form a joint military committee.

Parallel to this framework, Kuwait is negotiating a more comprehensive security arrangement modeled after the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. This proposed expansion would see Kuwait acquire Pakistani fighter jets—potentially the JF-17 Thunder—drones, and integrated air defense systems, alongside the deployment of thousands of Pakistani troops to deter regional missile and drone threats. In exchange, Pakistan is seeking cooperation on energy security and investment to stabilize its oil and fuel reserves.

Pakistani officials have ruled out the deployment of combat troops for the time being, balancing its Gulf partnerships with its diplomatic relations with Iran. The move reflects a broader strategy among Gulf monarchies to diversify security partners and reduce dependence on the United States and NATO.