Kuwait buys British air defence systems in £370m deal

Kuwait has purchased British-made air defence systems under a £370 million contract with MARSS Systems Limited, an EOS company. The agreement, announced by the UK Ministry of Defence on 9 October 2026, is set to create 100 new jobs in the United Kingdom, supporting skilled engineering and manufacturing roles.

System capabilities and production

MARSS will provide and integrate an advanced air defence system for Kuwait. The system incorporates jammers, radars, and interceptors linked to the NiDAR platform, which the company describes as an AI-enabled command and control centre. The goal is to enhance Kuwait’s ability to detect, deter, and defeat airborne threats.

Production for the contract will be based in Bristol. The deal is expected to expand MARSS’s offices in the UK, demonstrating how defence investment can deliver growth by creating jobs and opportunity across the country.

Strategic context and existing support

The deal forms part of the UK’s Taskforce Sabre, an initiative that brings together government and industry to help Gulf states rapidly secure the systems and weapons they need. According to the Ministry of Defence, this effort follows Iran’s aggressive missile and drone attacks in the region.

This purchase builds on existing UK support for Kuwait, which includes the Rapid Sentry ground-based air defence missile system. The Royal Air Force’s ORCUS system is also currently operating in the country, helping personnel detect drones early and take decisive action.

Official statements

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: "This deal is a clear demonstration of the UK delivering on its promise to support our regional partners."

Pollard added: "By backing Kuwait with world-leading British technology, we’re not just strengthening a vital ally’s defences against real and growing threats. We’re creating skilled jobs here at home and proving that UK industry can deliver when it matters most."

Johannes Pinl, CEO of MARSS, stated: "Countering drones and aerial threats is not about any single system, it is about an intelligent, layered architecture that detects, decides and defeats within seconds, and MARSS has built exactly that."

Pinl added that through 2027, MARSS will integrate the sensors and effectors that protect Kuwait’s people, critical infrastructure, and national assets, backed by British engineering and new skilled jobs in the UK.

Why it matters

The £370 million contract highlights the UK’s ongoing efforts to support Gulf allies against regional threats. By integrating AI-enabled technology into air defence systems, the deal aims to improve detection and response times against airborne dangers. The agreement also underscores the economic impact of defence exports, with production and job creation centered in Bristol.

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Sources

• gov.uk: 100 new UK jobs created as Kuwait buys British-made AI-enabled air defence systems - GOV.UK
• ukdefencejournal.org.uk: Kuwait buys British-built air defence system worth millions

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.