Defense Posture in Kuwait

Needless to say that Kuwait is still facing outside threats. Kuwaiti concerns are varied: The current chaos in Iraq, Iranian regional ambitions, radical Muslim movements, etc. These threats are also felt in many Arab countries surrounding Kuwait and close to Iran. Kuwait remains closer to sources of danger.

The Strategy

Following the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, Kuwaiti defense strategy was well woven. The strategy calls to stand firm against any threat coming from outside the border, and for the longest possible period of time, until other Gulf States send appropriate and relief forces. If necessary the help of international allied forces would be sought in order to participate in defending Kuwait.

Kuwait had built a defense line along its land borders with Iraq. It is quite difficult to any artillery armored forces, or any non-regular forces, to penetrate this line in order to sneak into the country. The importance of this line is that it impedes penetration of attacking forces, and facilitates any tanks, or warplanes, counterattack.

In the early Nineties of the last century, Kuwait signed defense agreements with the permanent Security Council member states: USA, Russia, China, France, and Britain, aiming to strengthen its general strategic defense plan. The country worked on developing new concepts concerning Gulf defense, and participated in formulating the “Gulf Defense Agreement”. This agreement renders any aggression on any member state in the “Gulf Cooperation Council”, an assault on all member states, necessitating that all the states will join its forces to defend the country subjected to the aggression. Kuwait participated also in creating the “Island Shield” Force reaching to 20,000 soldiers in number. In addition, Kuwait participated in initiating the “Cooperation Belt” project, which is a joint system between the six Gulf States aiming at surveying aerial targets, identifying, and jointly downing them.

The Possibilities

The possibility of Kuwait facing an attack from outside the border is now unlikely, but it is not outside consideration. No one, for example, excludes a military Iranian retaliation against some Gulf States in case USA executes air strikes on Iranian nuclear plants.

Kuwaiti Armed Forces

Kuwaiti armed forces are estimated to include twelve thousand soldiers. Reports maintained that the number had increased after the completion of an armored division consisting of four brigades: two armored, one mechanized, and the fourth is an artillery brigade. The Air Forces consists of 32 F/A-18C fighter jets, 8 F/A-18D, 10 light Hawk-64 combat planes that could be used for training purposes.

Interview with General Stephane Abrial, French Air Force Commander

General Abrial is one of the most prominent leaders in NATO alliance. In an interview with Al Defaiya, the General outlined his views with respect to many issues. Following are the main points of the interview:

1. Rafale fighter plane started to be operational since 27th of June 2006. The plane participated in military exercises of NATO. Three of these fighter planes are currently operating in Afghanistan.
2. Rafale differs from Mirage 2000, which was one of the best fighter planes in the world, being the only operating multi-role plane in Europe.
3. UCAV’s technologies cannot replace fighter planes, at least nowadays. These un-manned planes cannot perform what is called “Show of Force”.
4. Multi-role fighter planes are currently deployed in modern military fleets.
5. We participate in missions in Afghanistan under NATO command, as well as ensuring French National security.
6. Arab pilots are excellent, and they receive the same training enjoyed by French pilots.
7. Paris Air Show is an excellent meeting place of political, industrial, and military leaders of the world.

Paris Air Show PREVIEW

Paris Air show, which is held in Le Bourget airport (128,000 sq. meters, with 1926 exhibitors), is the right place to exhibit the latest developments in the air industries. The show, which would be held in June 2007, will reflect the impact of rising oil prices on the industry. The stars of 2007 show would be fuel saving Boeing 787 “Dream liner”, and its competitor Airbus A350.

The Americans are developing F – 35, which is considered the first medium range stealth fifth generation plane. They have plans to develop Boeing x-45, which is a future controlled fighter plane. The Chinese designed a fifth generation stealth fighter plane. The Fifth generation Club includes United States, Russia, and China. In the field of military transport planes, Russia will display Antonov-124, and Antonov-225, which is capable to carry a load of 226 tons. Regional planes have their share in the show, such as Embraer 170/195, Bombardier CRJ

Data & Communication Encryption Equipment

Digital communications revolution occurred, when most western armies began researches, aiming to obtain real time imaging to the battlefields. The new system connects each soldier with his command center. Advanced military systems secure all communications, which could be jeopardized by the enemy.

In order to solve this problem it is necessary to maintain the secrecy of military information, a principle called “Information Security”. There are three forms through which the military information is transferred: voice, fax, and data screens.

Encryption is a procedure used to change the clear script into a coded script formed of letters and numbers. This procedure prevents anyone from reading the contents of the script. Encryption uses Algorithm mathematical system, and scrambling, “frequency hopping”, and “radio jamming” of voice communications in order to secure its safety.

Companies producing encryption system include: Harris, an American company specializing in producing tactical ad strategic communications systems. The company uses HF, VHF, and UHF in its Falcon RF-5800, which is considered a new generation communication system. Its small size Secure Personal Radio or SPR RF-300U operates automatically. Crypto AG, an internationally renowned company in developing information security systems, such as encryption techniques. This company introduced Ethernet encryption systems, and offered two new solutions: Multicom Radio Encryption HC-2750, and Tetra, a strong solution for the security of information and communication. Rhode & Schwarz, a German company specializes in producing various communications equipment. This company’s products had proved its efficiency in military operations. They can be transported and fitted on all military planes easily. SELEX, which is an Italian company that produces information security systems, such as CM 105E Encryption Unit, which secures the transfer of information, data, and voice at the same time. SELEX produced a radio station that secures multi-role communications in the battlefield.

Encryption of data plays an important role in insuring the safe transfer of data. This procedure excludes the danger of sudden military attacks.

The European Aerospace & Defense Industries

Aerospace and Defense Industries in USA began working at, and developing new companies and institutions in the late Nineties of the past century. Giant Aerospace & Defense companies were started that earned high incomes. European companies, seventy in number, began similar cooperation procedures.

The most important European Aerospace & Defense companies are:

• BAE Systems, an international company specializing in advanced defense and air systems, such as SIREN in order to intercept anti-ship missiles. Another product is HIDAS, specially preferred in helicopters.
• DCNS, the new company formed after the merger of DCN and Thales. The company builds military ships for the French navy, and navies of a number of countries. DCNS is a member of the industrial and international consortium, GICAN that specializes in building and equipping ships. This company is building a new airplane carrier named PA2, and conventional submarines, such as Scorpion and Barracuda. The company builds nuclear submarines; La Fayette, FREMM, and Horizon frigates.
• EADS. This European company is a result of merging many French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Swedish defense companies. EADS skill was evident in the production of Eurofighter, which became the first choice of NATO. Training and simulators are is a major concern of this company.
• Eurocopter is a prominent international company in the production of helicopters. A large fleet of helicopters is operating in the Arab world.
• Finmeccanica is the largest Italian company specializing in designing and producing helicopters, military planes, satellites, radars, rocket systems, and surveillance and controlling of air navigation.
• NEXTER, previously known as Giat Industries, is a French company specializing in the production of combat systems. The company has built an armored wheeled combat vehicle named VBRC. It prides itself that it is the source of 85% of all the French Army vehicles. NEXTER produces Leclerc tanks of which it sold 860 to the French army.
• NAVANTIA is a Spanish company that produces commercial and military ships, diesel and turbine engines.
• MBDA produces a wide variety of anti ship and anti-aircraft missiles.
• SAAB is prominent in military technology. It produces Gripen fighter plane. SAGEM for Defense and Security Systems THALES is a major producer for electronics, communications command and control systems.

Armored Personnel Vehicles: A Success Story

Armored Personnel Vehicles emerged at the end of the Eighties of the past century. The vehicles are described as battle taxi, serving important rear line duties.

The main design criteria for modern wheeled armored personnel vehicles are: 1- Internal volume payload designed for long-duration missions. 2- Protection level, with the basic hull offering “Level 3” protection. 3- Strategic, operational, and tactical mobility. 4- Design flexibility and reliability.

The main reason for the increasingly wide-spread success of these 8x8 vehicles is linked to the user’s desire to deploy better strategic mobility performance. APV, or 8x8 AFV, with its superior tactical mobility, can be equipped with same armament of tracked AFV. Wheeled vehicles, thanks to its design, are in a much better position to withstand the threat of mines.

The most important armored personnel vehicles are:

1. AMV XC-360. Developed as a special project by the Finnish company Patria, weighs 26 tons.
2. PANDUR II. This vehicle is made by the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler- Puch, which is now part of General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems. PANDUR II has a maximum combat weight of 22t, and its hull is a self-supporting structure made of all-welded armor steel plates.
3. VBC FRECCIA is based on the hull of CENTAURO 8X8 heavy armored vehicles.
4. VBC1, is developed by Giat Industries (now Nexter), was designed as a companion vehicle to operate together with the LECLERC tank.
5. BOXER once touted as the largest cooperative program ever launched within NATO. It offers exceptional overall performance.
6. PIRANHA Family. The Swiss company MOWAG can be credited as being the leading company that introduced *X* AFV’s. PIRANHA III model was introduced in 1996. The latest member is 25 t-class PIRANHA IV, has a 12 cubic meters fighting compartment. Thanks to its larger hull, modified driveline, has reached Level-4 in protection.