Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Minister of Defense, took an important step towards the development of the country's defense industries on Wednesday by attending the inauguration ceremony for the production of the first batch of small arms ammunition at the Naif Small Arms Ammunition Factory. This factory, as the first ammunition production facility in Kuwait, will enhance national production capabilities and help meet the military and security needs of the country.
Development of National Military Industries
During the ceremony, Sheikh Abdullah emphasized the importance of developing national military industries and stated that this development must be carried out with the highest standards of quality and safety. He also stressed the need for investment in national talents as a factor in strengthening defense readiness and supporting the sustainable growth of Kuwait's military industries.
Defense Industry Localization Strategy
Brigadier Engineer Salah Al-Azmi, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in the logistics and supply sector, referred to the importance of this factory as one of the strategic projects aimed at localizing defense industries. He stated that this factory is designed to create a national industrial base to meet military and security needs, with the goal of strengthening self-sufficiency in this area.
The ceremony was attended by senior military and government officials including Brigadier Khalid Al-Shariyan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Mishaal Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Defense, and Brigadier Hamad Al-Burjas, Deputy Minister of the National Guard. Brigadier Hamad Al-Mirfi, Deputy Minister of Public Security, and Brigadier Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Head of the Kuwait Fire Service, were also present at the ceremony.
The Naif factory, which was inaugurated on February 16, 2026, by Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait, is considered the first effort by the Ministry of Defense in the field of ammunition production. The production processes of this factory are designed in accordance with NATO requirements for small arms ammunition, and it is expected that with the commencement of its activities, Kuwait's defense industry will reach a new level of quality and efficiency.
With the launch of this factory, Kuwait will be able to respond more effectively to its domestic needs while also enhancing its capabilities in ammunition production. This initiative will not only strengthen the country's defense industry but will also contribute to job creation and the advancement of technology in the country.
