Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren OBE, the United Kingdom’s Defence Senior Adviser to the Middle East and North Africa, visited Kuwait for a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening the longstanding defence and security partnership between the United Kingdom and Kuwait. During his visit, Ahlgren met Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Kuwait Coast Guard Director General Commodore Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah.
He also held meetings with senior representatives of the Kuwait Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, including Chief of Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces Khaled Saad Al-Shuriaan; Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence Sheikh Dr Abdullah Mishaal Mubarak Al-Sabah; Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services Dr Wael Nasser Al-Sabah; Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Anoud Al-Turiman; and Chief of the Armament and Procurement Authority Sheikh Khalifa Al-Sabah.
Discussions focused on the current regional security situation, opportunities to enhance capabilities and ways to further strengthen the government-to-government defence relationship between the two countries. The visit builds on Ahlgren’s sustained engagement with Kuwait throughout 2026. He visited in March alongside UK counter-drone experts for discussions on regional security, British support for Kuwait and opportunities to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, before returning for further engagements in May.
His latest visit marks his third trip to Kuwait this year and sixth over the past two years, reflecting the depth of the UK-Kuwait defence relationship and the importance both countries attach to regular senior-level dialogue. The meetings provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the bilateral defence partnership and the two countries’ shared commitment to regional security and stability. Discussions also explored ways to deepen cooperation, enhance capabilities and respond jointly to evolving regional security challenges.
British Ambassador to Kuwait Qudsi Rasheed said the two countries shared a deep and enduring partnership built on friendship, trust and a shared commitment to security and stability. “Our defence relationship remains a cornerstone of that partnership, and the engagement we have seen throughout 2026 demonstrates its strength and breadth,” Rasheed said. He added that Ahlgren’s visit reflected the UK’s continued commitment to working closely with Kuwait to address shared challenges and further deepen bilateral cooperation.
UK Defence Attaché to Kuwait Captain Neil Marriott said 2026 had been a particularly active year for defence cooperation between the two countries, including joint military training during Exercise Desert Warrior and close engagement on emerging security challenges and capability development. “These activities are underpinned by strong relationships between our Armed Forces, and we look forward to building on this momentum through further training, exchanges and practical cooperation,” Marriott said.
Ahlgren said it was a privilege to return to Kuwait and meet again with Kuwaiti partners, adding that the discussions had reinforced the strength of the bilateral defence relationship and the two countries’ shared commitment to regional security and stability. “As the security environment continues to evolve, the UK remains committed to standing alongside Kuwait, sharing expertise, enhancing capabilities and identifying new opportunities to deepen our government-to-government defence partnership,” he said.
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