A £370 million defence contract to supply Kuwait with advanced, artificial intelligence-enabled air defence technology will create 100 new jobs in the United Kingdom, strengthening British
manufacturing and engineering while deepening security cooperation with Gulf allies.
The agreement, awarded to UK-based MARSS Systems Limited, part of the EOS group, will see the company deliver and integrate a sophisticated air defence network designed to identify, track and counter aerial threats. The project will support skilled employment in the UK, with production centred in Bristol and an expansion of MARSS’s British operations.
The system will combine radar technology, electronic jamming equipment and interceptors with MARSS’s NiDAR platform, an AI-powered command-and-control centre. This integrated approach is intended to help Kuwait detect incoming threats, coordinate responses and neutralise hostile drones and other airborne targets more effectively.
The contract also highlights the role of British defence exports in supporting economic growth, bringing investment into advanced manufacturing and creating opportunities for highly skilled workers.
The deal forms part of the UK government’s Taskforce Sabre, an initiative bringing together public authorities and defence companies to help Gulf partners obtain essential military equipment more quickly. The programme comes amid heightened regional security concerns following Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Luke Pollard, the UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said the agreement demonstrated Britain's commitment to supporting its regional partners while delivering economic benefits at home.
He said the supply of British technology would strengthen Kuwait’s ability to respond to growing security threats, while creating skilled jobs and demonstrating the capabilities of the UK defence industry.
MARSS chief executive Johannes Pinl said effective protection against drones and other aerial threats required an integrated system rather than reliance on a single piece of equipment.
He explained that the company’s technology brings together detection, decision-making and interception capabilities, enabling operators to respond to threats within seconds.
During 2027, MARSS plans to integrate the sensors and defensive systems required to protect Kuwait’s population, critical infrastructure and national assets. The programme will draw on British engineering expertise and contribute to the creation of new skilled jobs in the UK.
The agreement builds on existing British military support for Kuwait. The Gulf state has already received the Rapid Sentry ground-based air defence missile system, while the Royal Air Force’s ORCUS system is operating in the country to help personnel detect drones at an early stage and respond to potential attacks.
The latest contract further strengthens defence ties between London and Kuwait, reinforcing the UK's position as a security partner in the Gulf. It also underlines the growing importance of integrated, AI-enabled technologies in protecting critical infrastructure and countering increasingly sophisticated aerial threats. Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD, Wikimedia commons.
