Kuwait National Guard

The Kuwait National Guard or National Guard (KNG) (Arabic: الحرس الوطني الكويتي) is an independent combat institution tasked mainly with the defense of the country and its territories.[1] The National Guard traces its heritage directly to the cavalrymen and infantrymen that defended Kuwait's three mounted defensive walls.[2][3] Since its inception, the Kuwait National Guard under the guidance of the respective leadership; executed, participated and supported in carrying all conflicts in which the Military of the State of Kuwait engaged since 1967.[1]

Kuwait National Guard
الحرس الوطني الكويتي
Kuwait National Guard
Active1967 (1967)
CountryKuwait
TypeParamilitary Defense Force
RolePrimary Tasks:
• Direct Action
• Special Reconnaissance
• Counter- Terrorism
• Foreign internal defense
Other Roles:
• Special Operations
• Border Guards
• Humanitarian Missions
• Information Operations
SizeApprox. 70,000 personnel
Part ofMilitary of Kuwait
Garrison/HQKuwait
Nickname(s)His Highness Elite
Motto(s)الله والوطن والامير
God, Country & The Emir
ColorsGreen & Yellow
AnniversariesNational and Liberation Day (25 and 26 February)
Engagements
Commanders
His Highness National Guard CommanderSheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah

Creation and patron

The founding of the Kuwait National Guard was first conceived during the Six-Day War and following the outcomes of Operation Vantage when Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah[4] was the Crown Prince of Kuwait through the 2nd decree of 1967 on June 6 during the reign of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah.[1] A mission for this purpose was led by Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah,[5] who was the driving force in forming the various tasks forces within the National Guard and who has remained at the head of the institution since its enacting in 1967.[6][7]

Leadership

National Guard Commander
#NameTitleTenureNote Picture
1Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah[6][7][8]His Highness Commander of Kuwait National Guard1967–presentMost senior serving member and Chieftain dean of the House of Sabah

Deputy National Guard Commanders
#NameRankTenureNote Picture
1Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah[6][9][10]Deputy National Guard Commander1994–2003The Crown Prince of Kuwait (2006–2020)
The Emir of Kuwait (2020–present)
2Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah[6][11] Deputy National Guard Commander2004–2020The Crown Prince of Kuwait (2020–present)[6][11]
3Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah Deputy National Guard Commander2020–2022Prime Minister of Kuwait (2022–present)
4 Faisal Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah Deputy National Guard Commander[12] 2022–present Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior (2021-2022)

History

50th Anniversary of the Kuwait National Guard

In June 2017, the Kuwait National Guard commemorated their 50th Anniversary Golden jubilee under the leadership of the Commander-in-chief, the Emir of Kuwait, and directives of Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah.

Equipment

Armored Fighting Vehicles
Name Type Quantity Country of origin Notes
PandurArmoured Personnel Carrier150Austria70 in 6 versions.some with 90mm cockerill turret First entered service 1997 ( produced by AV Technology )

80 Pandur II with a 25mm Bushmaster turret

Desert Chameleon Armoured Personnel Carrier20United States6×6 APC with 30 mm cannon. First entered service 2011
Condor (APC)Armoured Personnel Carrier8West GermanyKuwait owns the advanced version (Condor II)
Shorland S600Armoured Personnel Carrier22United Kingdom22 in 5 versions (APC, CPV, ambulance, crowd control and mortar carrier)
Véhicule Blindé LégerArmoured Personnel Carrier97France
HumveeMultipurpose Wheeled Vehicle2,300United StatesVehicles sold via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.
Sherpa light ScoutMultipurpose Wheeled Vehicle3,000France1,000 Sherpas sold to Kuwait National Guard in 2015 Sherpa Scouts sold to the Kuwaiti military in 2016 under a €270 m contract.

References
  1. Archived 4 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine Kuwait National Guard Mission Statement and History; (Arabic Read)
  2. Kuwait National Guard Archives, Early Defense Cavaly & Infantry led by Sheikh Abdullah Jaber Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah; (Arabic Read)
  3. Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Kuwait National Guard Archives, Early Defense Cavalry & Infantry led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
  4. Kuwait National Guard Archives; His Highness Sheikh Jaber Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
  5. Kuwait National Guard Archives, Old and New, His Highness Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah
  6. "- KUWAIT NATIONAL GUARD - الحرس الوطني الكويتي -". Kuwait National Guard. Archived from the original on 16 July 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2015. (Arabic Read)
  7. Archived 3 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Profile & Accomplishments of Kuwait National Guard Commander; His Highness Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah; (Arabic Read)
  8. Kuwait National Guard Archives, Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Sheikh Abdullah Jaber Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
  9. Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Kuwait National Guard Archives, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with His Royal Highness Mutaib bin Abdullah in 2001; Retrieved March 7, 2015
  10. Kuwait National Guard Archives; His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Arabic Read)
  11. "Profile & Accomplishments of Kuwait National Guard Deputy Commander and acting Minister by Government Protocol; His Excellency Sheikh Meshal Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah" (in Arabic). Kuwait National Guard. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  12. "KUNA : Kuwait cabinet fills leadership roles across state bodies - General - 07/11/2022". www.kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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