Pakistan and Kuwait have agreed to deepen their longstanding military relationship, reaffirming plans to turn their historic ties into a stronger and more enduring defence partnership. The announcement came after a high-level Kuwaiti delegation met Pakistan’s military leadership in Rawalpindi, with both sides discussing regional security and expanded cooperation.

The Pakistan Kuwait defence ties were discussed during a meeting between Kuwait’s Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Saleem Al-Sabah and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ).

The Kuwaiti delegation also included Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Lt Gen Khaled Darj Saad Al-Shriaan.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the discussions covered matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral defence cooperation.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional links and expanding areas of military collaboration that could benefit both sides.

New agreement expands military cooperation

Pakistan and Kuwait also signed Protocol Agreement 2026, a development described as a significant expansion of bilateral military cooperation under the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2023.

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The agreement was signed during a meeting between Kuwaiti Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Saleem Al-Sabah and Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in Rawalpindi.

Under the new protocol, Pakistan’s armed forces will assist Kuwait in several areas, including military training, capacity building and border management.

The two countries will also cooperate in other mutually agreed areas of defence, creating a broader framework for military engagement.

The agreement marks another step in the development of defence relations that have gained momentum through a series of high-level contacts between Islamabad and Kuwait.

Kuwait praises Pakistan Armed Forces

During the meeting at GHQ, the Kuwaiti delegation praised the professionalism and operational capabilities of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

ISPR said the Kuwaiti officials also recognised Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability.

The two sides discussed the importance of strengthening cooperation to support security and stability in the region, particularly at a time when Gulf security remains a major concern for regional governments.

The discussions also reflected both countries’ interest in developing stronger institutional relationships between their defence establishments.

Defence agreement follows Kuwait’s ratification

The latest agreement comes roughly a month after Kuwait ratified the 2023 Defence Cooperation Agreement with Pakistan.

The ratification was followed by a visit to Pakistan by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who held meetings with senior Pakistani officials and Field Marshal Asim Munir.

During those discussions, regional security and measures to expand bilateral cooperation were among the key issues.

The Kuwaiti foreign minister also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s continued support and constructive contribution toward regional peace and stability.

His visit was the first by a Kuwaiti foreign minister to Pakistan in more than five years.

High-level contacts increase between Islamabad and Kuwait

The latest defence agreement comes amid a noticeable increase in high-level engagement between Pakistan and Kuwait.

Over recent months, officials from both countries have exchanged visits and held discussions aimed at expanding cooperation, particularly in the defence and security sectors.

Kuwait has also been broadening its security partnerships as uncertainty and volatility continue across the Gulf.

For Pakistan, deeper defence cooperation with Kuwait provides another avenue for military training, institutional engagement and capacity building, while Kuwait stands to benefit from the experience and capabilities of one of the region’s established military partners.

The signing of Protocol Agreement 2026 signals that the relationship is moving beyond traditional diplomatic ties toward a more structured defence partnership.

With cooperation now extending to training, border management and capacity building, Islamabad and Kuwait are expected to continue expanding military-to-military engagement in the months ahead.