US approves Kuwait request to buy nearly $2 billion of counter-drone platforms

The U.S. Department of State approved a possible sale of nearly $2 billion worth of counter-unmanned aerial systems to Kuwait.

Kuwait requested the c-UAS platforms, built by Anduril , in an effort to improve the country’s ability to counter current and future threats, according to a Friday release . The request followed attacks last week carried out by Iran on Kuwait infrastructure.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” a statement from the State Department reads.

The approval comes days after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on June 3 that damaged the Kuwait International Airport, killing one and injuring more than 60 people.

Three days later, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to U.S. strikes. There were no casualties, but the Saturday attack did cause some material damage, according to Kuwait’s army.

Gulf nations have been the target of strikes throughout the ceasefire and during negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, showcasing the frustration among the countries and a need for more defense capabilities, like this deal.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the announcement says.

The estimated $1.98 billion sale will include “non-major defense equipment,” such as lattice command and control, personnel training and software development, and it will supply Kuwait with electronic and kinetic “defeat capabilities” against unmanned aerial systems.

Cristina Stassis is a reporter covering stories surrounding the defense industry, national security, military/veteran affairs and more. She previously worked as an editorial fellow for Defense News in 2024 where she assisted the newsroom in breaking news across Sightline Media Group.

美国国务院批准向科威特出售价值近20亿美元的反无人机系统。

据周五发布的消息，科威特向安杜里尔公司订购了反无人机系统（c-UAS）平台，旨在提升该国应对当前及未来威胁的能力。此前，伊朗上周对科威特基础设施发动了袭击。

美国国务院在一份声明中表示：“这项拟议的军售将通过提高一个重要的非北约盟友的安全，支持美国的外交政策和国家安全目标。该盟友一直是中东政治稳定和经济发展的重要力量。”

就在几天前，伊朗于 6 月 3 日发动无人机和导弹袭击，破坏了科威特国际机场，造成一人死亡，60 多人受伤。

三天后，伊朗革命卫队称，为报复美国的空袭，他们对位于科威特和巴林的美国基地发动了袭击。科威特军方表示，此次袭击没有造成人员伤亡，但确实造成了一些物质损失。

在停火期间以及美国和伊朗就结束战争和重新开放霍尔木兹海峡进行谈判期间，海湾国家一直是袭击的目标，这表明这些国家感到沮丧，并且需要更多的防御能力，例如这项协议。

公告称：“拟议的这批设备和支持服务的出售不会改变该地区的基本军事平衡。”

预计价值 19.8 亿美元的军售将包括“非主要国防装备”，例如网格指挥控制、人员培训和软件开发，并将为科威特提供对抗无人机系统的电子和动能“打击能力”。

克里斯蒂娜·斯塔西斯是一位记者，主要报道国防工业、国家安全、军事/退伍军人事务等领域的新闻。她曾于2024年在《防务新闻》担任编辑助理，协助Sightline媒体集团旗下新闻编辑室处理突发新闻。