Overview
Kuwait ranked 39th out of 163 countries in the 2022 Global Peace Index, with a score of 1739, reflecting a slight decline by one in its ranking compared to 2021. Nevertheless, it’s still the second safest among the Middle Eastern countries. The Index reflects the 163 countries’ peacefulness, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace.. Kuwait has a low crime rate, stable political environment, and strong government institutions. Though Kuwait is safe itself, it shares a land border with Iraq and is located near several other high-risk countries such as Iran and Syria.
Thus, Kuwait plans to invest considerable resources in safety and security equipment and technology over the next few years. Due to Kuwait’s proximity to Iraq and their Gulf War history, defense and security forces will be looking to purchase surveillance equipment, perimeter security and control systems, security check point equipment (fences, crash barriers, cameras, access points), explosives and explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) equipment, and contraband detection systems, including scanning systems, as well as consulting services in security planning.
Several projects currently under consideration include additional camera surveillance systems to be installed at transportation infrastructure points, geospatial intelligence connectivity, maritime netting, and sensors to minimize security threats to vessels and facilities, including oil refineries, power plants, production facilities, and loading platforms, including in ports. Projects also include hardware and software infrastructure which are needed to support a fully integrated Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system. There are additional opportunities at Kuwait International Airport, which not only is upgrading its security procedures, but a is constructing a new terminal expected to be completed in 2027.
Best Prospects/Services
Potential opportunities for U.S. companies include: Command, Control, Communications, Computers (C4) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system integration for multiple tie-ins to surveillance systems (cameras, gamma sensors, magnetometers, command and control communications); border fencing and intruder sensing; industrial access controls; maritime surveillance and protection; long-range detection; and airborne systems.
Opportunities
Upcoming tenders are expected to be announced for homeland security surveillance cameras, airport security upgrades, oil and oil-related infrastructure security upgrades, border control, and surveillance. Additional projects will range from system integration to hand-held monitoring devices and long-range detection equipment.
Resources
For additional information on the defense sector, please contact Commercial Specialist Yousif Almahdi at Yousif.Almahdi@trade.gov.