Pakistan has been negotiating a broader defense agreement with Kuwait in exchange for energy cooperation and investment.
The negotiations remain at an early stage and could be complicated further by rising tensions between the United States and Iran, this follows an earlier noting growing concern in Islamabad that its defense pact with Saudi Arabia, signed last year, could pull Pakistan into the broader U.S., Iran conflict.
After Iran aligned Houthi forces attacked Saudi Arabia, Pakistan told Iran it would treat any attack on Saudi Arabia as an attack on itself. Any new defense deal with Kuwait, which has faced repeated attacks from Iran this year, would raise additional questions about Pakistan’s role as a regional mediator.
Talks between Kuwait is negotiating an expanded defence agreement with Pakistan in exchange for energy cooperation and investment.
While at an early stage, the talks underscore how the regional security landscape is being upended by the US-Israeli war on Iran…
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) July 18, 2026
Kuwait and Pakistan have maintained a limited defense arrangement focused on training and joint exercises since 2023. According to a Pakistani government official, Kuwait is now seeking a much larger commitment, similar to Pakistan agreement with Saudi Arabia, potentially including thousands of Pakistani troops, fighter jets, drones, and air defense systems.
It remains unclear whether Pakistan is willing to commit to that scale, given its Saudi agreement stemmed from a decades long alliance. A Middle East report confirmed talks are underway, including on defense procurement, though it’s uncertain whether they will lead to a formal pact.
Pakistan’s large military and domestic fighter jet production have made it an appealing defense partner for Gulf states looking for alternatives to relying solely on the U.S also on the other hand Pakistan is viewed as a reliable option given its existing ties with Saudi Arabia and steady relationship with the U.S.
Pakistan and Kuwait discuss expanded defence pact, sources say https://t.co/1T75X7FW5O
— Pakistan Today (@ePakistanToday) July 17, 2026
Separately, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have been drafting a mutual defense agreement distinct from Pakistan existing Saudi pact. Bahrain has expressed interest in a similar arrangement, while Jordan is reportedly exploring a weapons and training deal.
For Pakistan, defense deals with regional partners are also viewed as a path to securing much needed investment. Islamabad is seeking cooperation on energy security as part of potential talks with Kuwait, including a bonded fuel storage arrangement building on an existing diesel supply deal.
