Pakistan and Kuwait have taken a significant step toward expanding their longstanding defence partnership with the signing of the “Protocol Agreement-2026,” a new framework aimed at strengthening military cooperation established under the Defence Cooperation Agreement-2023.
The agreement, signed on Thursday, provides for enhanced cooperation between the armed forces of the two brotherly countries across a range of defence-related areas. Under the new framework, the Armed Forces of Pakistan will extend assistance to the Armed Forces of Kuwait in diverse fields, including training, capacity building, border management, and other mutually agreed areas of defence collaboration.
The development marks a further institutional strengthening of Pakistan-Kuwait defence relations and reflects what both sides described as the deep trust, mutual respect, and shared strategic interests that underpin their longstanding partnership.
The Protocol Agreement-2026 builds upon the existing military cooperation framework established through the Defence Cooperation Agreement-2023, providing a renewed basis for expanding practical defence collaboration between the two countries.
The agreement is intended to broaden cooperation in areas where both armed forces can benefit from the exchange of expertise, professional training, institutional capacity building, and coordinated approaches to defence and security challenges. Among the areas specifically identified under the new arrangement are training and capacity building, as well as border management and other fields to be mutually agreed upon by the two sides.
The agreement reflects the continuing evolution of Pakistan-Kuwait defence relations from an established partnership toward a more comprehensive and structured framework of military cooperation.
A high-level Kuwaiti delegation, led by Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Saleem Al-Sabah, Minister of Defence, and accompanied by Lieutenant General Khalid Darj Saad Al-Shriaan, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kuwait, also held high-level meetings in Pakistan. The Kuwaiti delegation called on Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, where the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on bilateral defence relations, security cooperation, and ways to further strengthen defence ties between Pakistan and Kuwait.
The discussions reinforced the importance both countries attach to their defence relationship and their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Separately, the Kuwaiti delegation, led by the Minister of Defence and accompanied by Lieutenant General Khalid Darj Saad Al-Shriaan, called on Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Thursday.
The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation. During the interaction, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional ties and expanding mutually beneficial defence collaboration between the two countries.
The discussions also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the evolving regional security environment and the importance of continued cooperation in support of peace and stability.
During the GHQ engagement, the Kuwaiti delegation expressed appreciation for the professionalism, operational excellence, and valuable contributions of the Pakistan Armed Forces toward regional peace and stability. The recognition highlights the importance Kuwait places on Pakistan’s military capabilities and professional expertise within the broader context of bilateral security cooperation.
The engagement further underscored the role of institutional military relationships in strengthening confidence, exchanging expertise, and developing practical mechanisms for cooperation between partner countries.
The signing of the Protocol Agreement-2026 comes against the backdrop of longstanding relations between Pakistan and Kuwait, with defence cooperation forming an important component of their broader bilateral partnership. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen the relationship in support of mutual security, regional peace, and stability.
The agreement also reflects the two countries’ shared interest in developing defence cooperation that delivers practical and mutually beneficial outcomes, while strengthening institutional links between their armed forces.
Through expanded cooperation in training, capacity building, border management, and other agreed areas, Pakistan and Kuwait are seeking to deepen their defence partnership and enhance their ability to cooperate on shared security interests.
The latest engagements between Pakistani and Kuwaiti defence leadership demonstrate a renewed commitment to consolidating the countries’ historic and brotherly relations into a stronger and more enduring defence partnership.
The signing of the Protocol Agreement-2026, together with the high-level meetings in Islamabad and at GHQ, represents a further step in institutionalizing and expanding defence cooperation between the two countries.
Both Pakistan and Kuwait reaffirmed their determination to build upon the existing framework of cooperation and develop a partnership based on mutual trust, respect, shared strategic interests, and mutually beneficial defence collaboration.
The two sides also reiterated their commitment to contributing to regional security and stability through stronger bilateral cooperation and continued engagement between their defence institutions.
The latest development therefore signals not merely an extension of an existing defence framework, but a renewed push by Pakistan and Kuwait to deepen military-to-military ties and establish a broader, more capable, and enduring defence partnership.
