Kuwait, Italy strengthen defence and security ties, deepen investment cooperation
- The two countries are advancing cooperation on Eurofighter deliveries, counter-drone capabilities and military training, while opening new avenues for private-sector partnerships, food security, healthcare and investment.
- Italy seeks wider EU maritime role as Kuwait highlights Strait of Hormuz security; puts Kuwait-Italy security cooperation in sharper focus
The Times Kuwait Report
The Italian Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Lorenzo Morini affirmed the depth and strength of Kuwait-Italy relations across several fields, particularly defence, security, economy, investment and education. He said Italy is committed to continuing its support for Kuwait and contributing to regional security and stability, including protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.
Speaking during a press conference, the Italian envoy said defence and security cooperation between Kuwait and Italy had been strong even before the recent crisis. Around 400 Italian military personnel were stationed in Kuwait as part of the international coalition against ISIS, operating mainly from Ali Al Salem Air Base, along with other locations in the country.
The Italian personnel, he said, were directly affected by the security developments and were forced to remain in shelters for extended periods of time. Italy’s message from the beginning, he added, was clear: “We are here to stay, help Kuwait and support it.” Morini praised the support provided by the Kuwaiti authorities to Italian military personnel during that period, saying they provided logistical assistance, food, water and everything they needed despite the difficult circumstances, rapid alerts and restrictions on movement outside the shelters.
Italy, for security reasons, later decided to move most of its military personnel out of Kuwait. Morini said there were no serious injuries among them, apart from some minor injuries, which he attributed to the effectiveness of the shelters and Kuwait’s defence systems. A group of Italian military personnel remained in Kuwait. They are not currently working as part of the international coalition but are providing support to the Kuwaiti Armed Forces under bilateral defence cooperation.
Defence agreement nearing completion
Regarding the defence cooperation agreement between the two countries, Morini said Italy had completed its ratification procedures, with only the Italian president’s signature remaining as the final formal step. He expects Kuwait to be notified of the Italian ratification soon. Kuwait ratified the agreement in June, while the Italian Parliament approved it in early August. Morini expressed hope that all procedures would be completed and the agreement would enter into force soon.
He said the agreement focuses on training, joint exercises and the exchange of expertise, information and defence materials. It is not linked to a specific deal or weapons system but provides a general framework for future memoranda of understanding and detailed agreements in various fields, including counter-drone systems.
Italy is also negotiating a cooperation agreement with the Kuwait National Guard, covering the exchange of expertise in protecting facilities and strategic infrastructure, protecting dignitaries, combating the smuggling of antiquities and artworks, and benefiting from the expertise of Italy’s Carabinieri forces.
Three Eurofighter aircraft awaiting delivery
On the Eurofighter programme, Morini said the agreement dates back to 2016 and is separate from the new defence cooperation agreement. Three aircraft remain to be delivered to Kuwait. He said they are ready for delivery, but security conditions over recent months prevented their transfer to Kuwait. “We were waiting for the situation to stabilise, and the aircraft are ready for delivery,” he said.
The Eurofighter programme is based on a contract between the Kuwait Air Force and Italian company Leonardo, while the Italian government has a supervisory role to ensure the quality of services and the company’s compliance with the contract and rules governing bilateral relations.
Personnel working on the programme are responsible for maintenance, technical support, training, facility management and assistance with transferring the aircraft. Kuwaiti pilots operate the aircraft after receiving training at Italian facilities under the supervision of the Italian government.
Defence systems and Sky Guard upgrades
The Italian envoy said cooperation with Kuwait continues on a number of defence systems. Italian companies have already supplied the Kuwait National Guard with short-range weapons ammunition and other materials. He said Kuwait acquired the Italian Sky Guard air defence system more than 15 years ago and that it has undergone continuous upgrades to keep pace with evolving threats, particularly drones, whose speed and capabilities have changed significantly.
A new upgrade is currently being carried out to make the system more responsive to modern threats. Morini said Sky Guard operates alongside the Patriot system, with each system addressing different types of targets under a central command centre that determines the appropriate mechanism and system for dealing with each threat.
He said Kuwaiti authorities had expressed satisfaction with the system’s performance and that the Italian side was also satisfied with its effectiveness. Morini also said the Kuwait International Airport radar, supplied by Leonardo, was damaged during the crisis. Italy was able to provide Kuwait with a replacement radar within a few weeks, although manufacturing its components would normally take months.
Training cooperation
He said this demonstrated that bilateral cooperation extends beyond direct military matters to include civilian equipment essential to Kuwait’s security and stability. Morini said training programmes include long academic courses that can last a year or more, as well as specialised short courses lasting between one and three months.
These programmes include training for Eurofighter pilots, combating transnational criminal organisations and terrorism, and protecting archaeological sites and strategic facilities. Around 30 members of the Kuwait Air Force are currently in Italy, along with two naval officers. An Italian military officer is also stationed at Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College as part of an exchange of expertise.
Strait of Hormuz and maritime security
On maritime cooperation, Morini said Italy is prepared to assist the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in protecting the region and securing navigation. He said Italy is pushing within the European Union to expand the scope of the EU’s Aspides mission, which focuses on securing navigation around the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, to include protecting vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Morini said Kuwait-Italy discussions focus on supporting Kuwait’s self-defence capabilities and helping prevent any potential attack, while also building international support for respect for international law and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that freedom of passage through the strait is a vital interest for Kuwait, Italy, Europe, Asia and the international community because of its importance to energy supplies, food, medicines and global supply chains.
He noted that Kuwait is among the major suppliers of aviation fuel to Europe, while Qatar is one of Italy’s main suppliers of natural gas. The region also produces materials used in fertiliser manufacturing, all of which require passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Morini warned that disruption to navigation through Hormuz or Bab Al-Mandab directly affects global prices, including in countries that obtain oil and gas from other sources, because prices are determined by supply and demand in international markets. He said European gas prices had risen by 30 to 40 percent.
Ambassador praises Kuwait’s crisis response
Morini praised Kuwait’s performance during the crisis, saying the country demonstrated significant resilience and maintained the availability of food, energy and water without major problems. He said Kuwait responded effectively in air defence and logistics, adding that the number of interceptions compared with the scale of attacks reflected what he described as exceptional effectiveness. He described the performance of the Kuwaiti authorities as excellent.
Morini also said Kuwait could play an important political role in the region because of its diplomatic approach and strong relations with GCC countries and regional partners, as well as its commitment to dialogue, international law and the role of the United Nations. He described Kuwait as a strategic interlocutor for Italy because of its direct channels of communication with regional leaders, making continued engagement important for exchanging messages and supporting settlement efforts.
He said the second EU-GCC summit, scheduled to take place in Riyadh at the end of October, would be an important opportunity to coordinate efforts, ideas and resources and advance a fair and acceptable settlement that respects international law.
On economic relations, Morini said Kuwait and Italy are working to strengthen partnerships between their private sectors and encourage Kuwaiti investment in Italy and Italian investment in Kuwait.
Several Italian companies operate in the Kuwaiti market, either as service providers or through establishing local companies. Italy, he said, hopes to expand its presence while attracting more Kuwaiti investment. He highlighted Kuwait Petroleum International’s Q8 as one of Kuwait’s prominent investments in Italy, saying it is highly regarded by the Italian government.
Morini also revealed plans for a visit by a delegation from Assolombarda, which represents industrial and commercial companies in northern Italy. The organisation represents more than 7,000 companies, accounting for a significant share of Italy’s GDP. The visit aims to establish a direct channel between Kuwaiti and Italian companies and allow private-sector representatives from both countries to discuss business opportunities and joint projects.
Food production seen as key cooperation area
Morini identified food production and distribution as one of the promising areas for cooperation. Discussions are underway on ideas to encourage Kuwait to invest in Italian small and medium-sized companies operating in the sector. He said these companies could export their products to Kuwait or establish partnerships with Kuwaiti private-sector companies to produce food locally.
Italy has expertise in agriculture and food production in dry environments, particularly in Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia, where some climatic conditions are similar to those in Kuwait. This, he said, could allow Kuwait to benefit from Italian expertise in strengthening food security. Morini said recent crises and the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of developing local production, given the potential disruption of supply chains and difficulties in accessing food during emergencies.
The Italian ambassador also pointed to significant opportunities for cooperation in healthcare, particularly in treating age-related diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as rehabilitation, telemedicine and home care. Kuwait and Italy face similar demographic challenges as the number of elderly people increases, he said, creating opportunities for partnerships between medical institutions and universities in both countries.
He also highlighted the possibility of combining Kuwait’s developed healthcare infrastructure with specialised Italian expertise. Italy is also ready to assist Kuwait in developing a national system for civil protection and emergency response, including responses to natural disasters and the effects of climate change, drawing on Italy’s integrated experience with the European Union system.
Italian visas to Kuwait decline amid crisis
On visas, Morini revealed that the number of visas issued by the Italian Embassy between January and September 2026 was about half the number recorded during the same period in 2025. He attributed the decline to the crisis and the near halt in travel during March, April, May and part of June.
The decline was concentrated in tourist visas, while business and family-visit visas remained at their usual levels. Student visas, however, increased by around 10 percent, rising from approximately 50 last year to about 60 this year. Morini said between 150 and 200 Kuwaiti students study at Italian universities each year, with the number continuing to increase.
He denied any change to the Italian visa system or the introduction of a new standalone electronic application, explaining that Italy is part of the Schengen system, which includes 28 countries, and that any changes must be agreed collectively in Brussels. He described contrary reports circulating online as false news.
Face-covering rules
Regarding the wearing of the niqab in Italy, Morini said general law requires people to show their faces in public places and when documents are being checked for security reasons. He stressed that the rule does not target women or religious beliefs. Hijab is permitted, but some public places, such as museums, cannot be entered with the face completely covered. He said the rule applies equally to men and women.
Regarding calls to boycott Israeli products, Morini said the issue is being discussed within the European Union and that Italy cannot take an independent trade decision because trade policy falls under the EU’s jurisdiction. Individual consumer choices, he said, are a separate matter, while imposing restrictions or an official boycott would require a collective European decision in Brussels.
Morini also said the European Union is discussing a strategic partnership agreement with Kuwait, describing it as a first step towards eventually reaching a comprehensive free trade agreement between the EU and the GCC countries.
