The United States and Kuwait have a decades-long partnership focused on fostering a peaceful and prosperous Middle East and collaboration on a wide range of key international security issues including maritime security, arms transfers, cyber security, border security and counterterrorism.

This partnership evolved from a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) inked between the United States and Kuwait in 1991 following Operation Desert Storm.

The DCA has since provided for mutual discussions in the event of a crisis; joint military exercises; US evaluation of, advice to, and training of Kuwaiti forces; US arms sales; prepositioning of US military equipment; and US access to a range of Kuwaiti facilities, according to a Congressional Research Service report published in 2021.

In 2004, the United States designated Kuwait as a Major Non-NATO ally, which opened the doors for cooperative research and development projects.

Since 2016, the United States and Kuwait have also held regular Strategic Dialogue meetings on bilateral security cooperation.

Kuwait has served as a vital partner for the United States, hosting almost 14,000 US military personnel in the nation and serving as a critical regional basing and access point. Kuwait bears some of the cost of the US military presence.

Washington's decades-long commitment to Kuwait's security is exemplified by Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm between 1990 and 1991.

In the wake of Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the United States led a 42-nation coalition both in the air and on the ground. After 43 days, the campaign ended in February 1991 with the liberation of Kuwait.

Military sales and collaboration

The United States has maintained its tireless commitment to Kuwait's security in the 33 years since Desert Storm.

Kuwait is routinely a top customer of US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and had almost $20 billion of active contracts with the US State Department in 2021.

The core of Kuwait's fleet of combat aircraft is made up of US-made F/A-18 Hornets, and its army operates M1A2 Abrams tanks.

Potential US FMS to Kuwait since 2020 have included US construction services for the Ministry of Defense headquarters, various Patriot missile system upgrades, Apache AH-64 helicopters, and land and air force munitions.

For example, in October 2022, the US State Department approved the potential sale of the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System, Medium Range Air Defense System and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3 billion.

The United States and Kuwait also routinely conduct joint exercises to enhance interoperability, including Exercise Eager Defender 24, currently taking place in Kuwait and the North Arabian Gulf.

The bilateral maritime drill, which brings together forces from the Kuwait Naval Force, Kuwait Coast Guard, US Naval Forces and US Marine Corps, aims at strengthening mutual interoperability and capabilities.

This exercise, led by Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), is being held from January 28 to February 7 and "showcases the commitment of both nations to regional security and readiness," according to the US Navy.

The exercise focuses on enhancing "maritime security, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), harbor security, unmanned systems operations, small unit naval infantry tactics, and joint command and control operations."

"Exercise Eager Defender highlights our shared commitment to regional security and the preservation of peace," said Brig. Gen. Matthew Reid, Commanding General of TF 51/5. "By working together, the Kuwait Armed Forces and US military are strengthening our capabilities and preparedness. This exercise is a testament to the enduring partnership between our nations."

Another joint exercise includes the Kuwait Bi-Lateral Exercise 3.0, which took place last October.

Kuwait 3.0 followed a series of bilateral training exercises centered on building partnerships through subject matter expert exchanges, facilitating the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures between US and Kuwaiti forces.

Earlier that same month, maritime forces from Kuwait, Iraq and the United States conducted a trilateral exercise focused on counter-piracy and maritime security.

Forces from the three nations honed VBSS procedures through drilled procedures with simulated target vessels.

The exercise built on a foundation laid by previous collaboration and focused on adapting to the ever changing threat environment that the United States and its global partners face.

"Our exercises, working alongside US 5th Fleet, Kuwait and Iraq Navies, ensure the security and safety of the fisherman in the international waters in the Northern Arabian Gulf," Maj. Gen. Talal Almuwanes, commander of the Kuwait Coast Guard, said in a US Navy statement.