Kuwait seeking expanded defence agreement with Pakistan: Report

What Happened

Kuwait is in early-stage negotiations with Pakistan for an expanded defence agreement, with a Pakistani official telling Reuters that Kuwait requested the deployment of 'thousands of Pakistani troops on the ground, fighter jets, drones, an air defence system, and other defence-related facilities' in exchange for energy cooperation and investment. The talks follow intense Iranian strikes on Kuwait, including serious damage to a power and desalination plant on Friday, amid the wider US-Israeli war on Iran. The proposed pact mirrors Saudi Arabia’s September 2025 mutual defence agreement with Pakistan, under which Pakistan has already deployed 8,000 troops, a fighter jet squadron, and a Chinese air defence system to the kingdom.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The negotiations indicate a potential reconfiguration of Gulf security architecture, as Kuwait turns to Pakistan—a nuclear-armed, Muslim-majority state with ties to both Iran and the US—to supplement or hedge against American security commitments. This follows Saudi Arabia’s earlier mutual defence pact with Pakistan, suggesting Islamabad is emerging as an alternative security guarantor for Gulf monarchies facing Iranian threats. The move carries risks for Pakistan, given Kuwait’s smaller size and greater vulnerability, but also reflects Islamabad’s growing influence in regional security dynamics.

Watch For

Monitor formal announcements or signing of a defence agreement between Kuwait and Pakistan, any subsequent deployment of Pakistani forces or equipment, and Iran’s reaction—including potential threats against Kuwait or Pakistan. Also track whether the US adjusts its posture in Kuwait in response to the diversification, and whether other Gulf states pursue similar agreements with Pakistan.