Kuwait launches defense strategy
MoD unveils 5-year roadmap to boost military capabilities, governance, cybersecurity
KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Sabah affirmed that the launch of the ministry of defense's strategic plan (2025–2030) reflects the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He described the plan as a cornerstone and pivotal turning point in enhancing the ministry's performance and capabilities.
This statement came during a press conference held Thursday at the multipurpose building in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Military Camp, where the ministry of defense officially unveiled its new strategy. The event was attended by Undersecretary of the Ministry Sheikh Dr Abdullah Meshal Al-Sabah and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lt Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that full support from the country's leadership strengthens the military institution's ability to keep pace with future developments and challenges, thereby reinforcing Kuwait's security and stability.
Undersecretary Sheikh Dr Abdullah, who also chairs the strategic plan preparation team, presented a comprehensive overview of the plan, outlining its main pillars, phased objectives and implementation mechanisms. He explained that the strategy serves as a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the accelerating challenges in regional and international defense and security environments. It aims to institutionalize sustainable military and administrative performance and build an advanced defense system based on clear scientific and methodological foundations.
Sheikh Dr Abdullah noted that the strategic vision centers on enhancing the defensive capabilities of the Kuwaiti army to safeguard the nation's security and territorial integrity. The strategic mission, he added, stems from the ministry's commitment to preserving Kuwait's sovereignty, protecting its national interests and deterring any aggression — thus reinforcing public safety, national pride and belonging through the development of an integrated defense system encompassing resources, human capital and technical infrastructure.
The plan also outlines several strategic goals aimed at transforming this vision into tangible outcomes. These include strengthening the ministry's regional and international presence through institutional partnerships and military cooperation, creating alternative income sources through investment arms beyond oil dependence and embedding transparency, governance and fiscal efficiency.
The undersecretary highlighted that the strategy places strong emphasis on comprehensive digital transformation, prioritizes cybersecurity and focuses on optimizing the ministry's organizational structure and resources. It also includes major investment in human capital through training and education, as well as advanced construction projects aligned with modern defense infrastructure needs. He stressed that the plan is built on a set of core institutional values — responsibility, excellence, integrity, transparency, teamwork and collaboration with relevant local and international entities to serve national interests.
The plan follows a structured methodology consisting of sequential stages — foundation, implementation and evaluation — with clearly defined performance indicators and regular follow-ups to ensure progress, efficiency and a culture of accountability within the ministry. Sheikh Dr Abdullah described the strategy as a qualitative leap, developed through thorough study and scientific analysis to meet future challenges. He added that the plan was based on global best practices, aligned with national priorities and designed to achieve integration and effectiveness across security, defense and development levels. - KUNA
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
an hour ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait welcomes Syrian President amid renewed engagement
Kuwait welcomes Syrian President amid renewed engagement KUWAIT: The official visit of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and his accompanying delegation to Kuwait Sunday carries special significance in the context of Kuwaiti-Syrian relations. During the visit, he held official talks with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, affirming Kuwait's steadfast and supportive stance toward Syria, its people, unity, and full sovereignty over its territory. Formal diplomatic ties between Kuwait and Syria were established on October 24, 1963, with Syria opening its first embassy in Kuwait. This was soon followed by the opening of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Damascus, marking a new phase of constructive cooperation and joint coordination on Arab and international issues. Over six decades, these relations have witnessed fruitful collaboration across various fields. However, between 2012 and 2024, relations were interrupted due to the security situation in Syria. On March 15, 2012, Kuwait announced the closure of its embassy in Damascus, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) position and due to deteriorating security conditions. Kuwaiti diplomats were instructed to leave Syria, and remaining Kuwaiti citizens were urged to depart swiftly. On December 30 of last year, ties witnessed a significant development with the visit of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya to Damascus in his capacity as Chairman of the GCC Ministerial Council—a step reflecting the GCC's commitment to regional security and stability. Following his meeting with Syria's new head of government, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Al-Yahya stated that the visit delivered a message of solidarity from the GCC, affirming its unwavering position on the importance of preserving Syria's unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and rejecting external interference in its internal affairs. HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince, and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah meet Syrian officials during their visit to Kuwait. Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah waves goodbye to Syria's President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. — Photos by Kuwait's Amiri Diwan and SANA / AFP Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah welcomes Ahmed Al-Sharaa at Bayan Palace in Kuwaiti City on June 1, 2025. He also noted that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had directed the provision of urgent food and medical aid to the Syrian people in response to the pressing humanitarian situation. That same day, Kuwait launched the first flights of a humanitarian air bridge to support the Syrian people, in line with Kuwait's leading humanitarian role and its commitment to alleviating suffering and expressing solidarity with Syrians. The Kuwait Red Crescent Society, tasked with managing the air bridge, stated that the aid aims to address shortages in supplies and provide basic necessities to help Syrians meet their daily living needs. Over the past decades, leaders and high-level officials from both countries have engaged in reciprocal visits, including delegations of businesspeople and investors, with the goal of strengthening cooperation across sectors, sharing successful experiences, and exchanging expertise to advance development in both nations. Kuwait and Syria are linked by numerous agreements and memoranda of cooperation, particularly in the economic, commercial, scientific, and technical fields. Since 1969, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has financed several development projects in Syria, especially in transportation, water, energy, industry, and communications. Syria also contributed to the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 by dispatching troops as part of the international coalition in implementation of United Nations resolutions. Kuwait, in turn, has repeatedly affirmed its support for Syria's efforts to regain its occupied Golan Heights. Kuwait took a clear stance on the Syrian crisis that began in 2011. It called, through the UN Security Council, for an end to war crimes, the facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery, and the lifting of sieges on civilian areas. Kuwait expressed grave concern over the continued use of heavy and internationally banned weapons against innocent civilians. It strongly condemned the forced displacement of the Syrian people and repeated attacks on medical facilities and civilian infrastructure, including airstrikes. Kuwait has stressed the need for international action to end the violence in Syria. Kuwait hosted the first three international donor conferences to support the humanitarian situation in Syria in 2013, 2014, and 2015, raising significant pledges—over 90 percent of which were fulfilled. In February 2016, Kuwait co-chaired the fourth donor conference with the UK, hosted in London, focusing on Syria and support for neighboring countries bearing the burden of the crisis. Kuwait has continued to participate in subsequent donor conferences, most recently the Brussels Conference hosted by the European Union in March this year. The conference was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and featured high-level international, Arab, and regional participation. Through KFAED, the Kuwait Red Crescent, and various Kuwaiti charities, Kuwait has provided significant humanitarian aid to displaced Syrians inside the country and to refugees in neighboring countries, especially Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. Over the past five months, Kuwait has reaffirmed through numerous statements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs its consistent position supporting Syria's unity and full sovereignty. It stressed the importance of international solidarity and stepped-up humanitarian and development efforts to support the Syrian people and ease their suffering. On December 9, 2024, Kuwait condemned the Zionist entity's occupation forces' takeover of the buffer zone on the Syrian border, calling it a blatant violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. On May 2, it also condemned an airstrike launched by those forces near the presidential palace in Damascus, again calling it a clear violation of Syrian sovereignty. On May 13, Kuwait welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement lifting sanctions on Syria. On May 21, Kuwait welcomed the European Union's decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria, describing it as an important step toward rebuilding the country and meeting its people's aspirations for development and prosperity. — KUNA
Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
40 Years Same Price: Kuwait's Timeless 100-Fils Falafel Sandwich
KUWAIT CITY, Jun 2: In a country of gleaming towers and booming oil revenues, a humble 100-fils falafel sandwich continues to quietly tell a story of compassion, dignity, and policy with purpose. Since 1984, a decree No. 44/1984 was issued in Kuwait under the direction of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, not for oil, infrastructure, or defense, but for falafel. The Amir's directive mandated that the price of a falafel sandwich remain fixed at 100 fils (about $0.33), ensuring that the nation's poorest residents would always have access to an affordable, filling meal. At first glance, a falafel sandwich may seem insignificant in the wider scope of economic policy. But for tens of thousands of low-wage earners in Kuwait, many earning less than two dinars a day, that sandwich can mean the difference between hunger and sustenance. These workers, who often juggle the burdens of rent, remittances, and survival, rely on such basic food items to get through each day. While some eateries have slightly reduced the size of the falafel or the sandwich over the years to maintain margins, the price tag remains unchanged. And this is not by chance. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through its Customer Protection Department, continues to actively enforce the 1984 decree. Inspectors routinely visit restaurants to verify compliance and have issued numerous fines to violators attempting to raise prices. "The law is still enforced," one inspector told Arab Times. 'If anyone sees a restaurant charging more, they should report it. We will take action.' More than just a cheap meal, the 100-fils falafel represents Kuwait's social conscience—an enduring symbol of a leadership philosophy that prioritized the basic dignity of all residents, regardless of income. In a time when global food prices are rising sharply, Kuwait's unwavering commitment to this modest sandwich offers a rare and powerful example of policy rooted in humanity. Bread (Khubz) at 50 Fils: State-Baked and Subsidized Another cornerstone of Kuwait's food strategy is bread, produced largely by the Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries Company (KFMB)—a state-owned enterprise. KFMB supplies Arabic bread (khubz) and other bakery items at prices unchanged for decades. A packet of five khubz still costs just 50 fils, with the government subsidizing flour to ensure bakeries can maintain low prices without sacrificing quality. Ration Cards and Essential Commodities Beyond bakeries and sandwich stands, Kuwait's subsidy net extends to household staples. Rice, sugar, flour, powdered milk, lentils, cooking oil, and infant formula are distributed to Kuwaiti families via a ration card system, ensuring affordability even during periods of international food price spikes. In 2023 alone, the government allocated KD 386 million for subsidies, 37.5% of which went toward basic food items. This proactive financial commitment reflects the state's desire to cushion citizens from the inflationary effects of global shipping bottlenecks, conflict-driven shortages, and currency fluctuations. Inflation Bites—But Not Without a Fight Despite these efforts, 2024 has seen food prices in Kuwait rise by 25–30% for many imported goods, according to local market reports. The increase has been largely attributed to rising freight costs and global instability. To counteract unjustified pricing, Kuwait's Ministry of Commerce and Industry has taken a hardline stance: suppliers are prohibited from raising prices on essential food items without prior approval, and cooperative societies are required to maintain standard pricing levels across the board. 'We're seeing price controls not just as emergency measures but as part of a larger philosophy,' said a representative from a local co-op union. 'The idea is to protect both citizens and long-term economic stability.' A Social Model Worth Noticing While some may argue that such policies aren't scalable or sustainable elsewhere, Kuwait's approach offers a unique model of resilience through regulation. Anecdotal evidence even suggests some school cafeteria staples have seen price increases of just 50 fils over the past 15 years, underscoring a national culture of moderation in food pricing. At a time when other nations are struggling to keep supermarket shelves affordable, Kuwait is preserving a decades-old promise: that a meal—or at least a sandwich—will always be within reach of every pocket.
Kuwait Times
11 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's Amir, Syrian President chair official round of talks
Kuwait's Amir, Syrian President chair official round of talks KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and President of Syria Ahmad Al-Sharaa, on Sunday, chaired official round of talks between the two countries. Present at the talks were His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and senior officials of both countries. Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said in a statement that the session focused on bolstering bilateral relations in all possible domains to achieve the mutual interests of Kuwait and Syria. The talks also focused on coordinating efforts between the two countries regionally and internationally especially those concerning maintaining the stability and unity of Syria, he revealed. Issues of common concerns as well as regional and global developments were discussed, the minister added. - KUNA
