The Kuwait National Guard (KNG) (Arabic:الحرس الوطني الكويتي) is a paramilitary and gendarmerie branch of the Kuwait Armed Forces. The National Guard is an independent combat institution and traces its heritage directly to the cavalrymen and infantrymen that defended Kuwait's three mounted defensive walls. Since its inception, the Kuwait National Guard under the guidance of the respective leadership; executed, participated in, and supported carrying out all conflicts in which the Kuwait Armed Forces have engaged since 1967.

History

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 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. A mission for this purpose was led by Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who was the driving force in forming the various task forces within the National Guard and who has remained at the head of the institution since its enacting in 1967.

Leadership

National Guard Commander

#NameTitleTenureNotePicture
1Salem Al-Ali Al-SabahHis Highness Commander of Kuwait National Guard1967–2024Most senior serving member and Chieftain dean of the House of Sabah
2Mubarak Humoud Al-Jaber Al-SabahHis Highness Commander of Kuwait National Guard2024-PresentSenior ruling family member from the Jaber line

Deputy National Guard Commanders

#NameRankTenureNotePicture
1Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahDeputy National Guard Commander1994–2003The Crown Prince of Kuwait (2006–2020) The Emir of Kuwait (2020–2023)
2Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahDeputy National Guard Commander2004–2020The Crown Prince of Kuwait (2020–2023) Emir of Kuwait (2023–present)
3Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-SabahDeputy National Guard Commander2020–2022Prime Minister of Kuwait (2022–2023)
4Faisal Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-SabahDeputy National Guard Commander2022–presentUndersecretary of the Ministry of Interior (2021–2022)

Golden Jubilee

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.

Ranks

Officers

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Kuwait National Guard vte
فريق أول‎‎ Fariq 'awalفريق Fariqلواء Liwaعميد Amidعقيد Aqidمقدم Muqaddamرائد Ra'idنقيب Naqibملازم أول Mulazim awwalملازم Mulazim

Enlisted

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Kuwait National Guard vteNo insignia
وكيل أول Wakil 'awalوكيل Wakilرقيب أول Raqib 'awalرقیب Raqibعريف Earifجندي أول Jundiun awwalجندي Jundiun‎‎‎‎

Equipment

Armored Fighting Vehicles

NameTypeQuantityCountry of originNotes
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
Armoured Personnel Carrier20United States6×6 APC with 30mm 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
Sherpa light ScoutMultipurpose Wheeled Vehicle+300FranceInitial order of 240 Sherpas sold to Kuwait National Guard in 2015, followed by another order. Sherpa Scouts also sold to the Kuwaiti military in 2016 under a €270 m contract.
HumveeMultipurpose Wheeled Vehicle2,300United StatesVehicles sold via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

External links