Kuwait National Guard
| Kuwait National Guard | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1967 |
| Country | Kuwait |
| Type | Paramilitary Defense Force |
| Role |
Primary Tasks: • Direct Action • Special Reconnaissance • Counter- Terrorism • Foreign internal defense Other Roles: • Special Operations • Border Guards • Humanitarian Missions • Information Operations |
| Size | unknown |
| Part of | Military of Kuwait |
| Garrison/HQ | Kuwait |
| Nickname |
His Highness Elite His Highness Paramilitary His Highness Men's Department |
| Motto |
الشرف والإخلاص لله والوطن والامير Honor & Fidelity to God, Country & The Emir |
| Colors | Green & Yellow |
| Anniversaries | National and Liberation Day (25 and 26 February) |
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| His Highness National Guard Commander | Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah |
The Kuwait National Guard or National Guard (Arabic: الحرس الوطني الكويتي ) is an independent main 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 today's Kuwait and its defensive wall.[2][3] Since its inception, the Kuwait National Guard at the disposition of its own independent commander; executed, participated, supported, and carried all conflicts in which the Military of Kuwait engaged since 1967.[1]
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 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
| # | Name | Title | Tenure Start | Tenure End | Note |
| 1 | Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah[6][7][8] | His Highness Commander of Kuwait National Guard | 1967 | Present | eldest living member and Chieftain dean of the House of Sabah |
Deputy National Guard Commanders
| # | Name | Rank | Tenure Start | Tenure End | Note |
| 1 | Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah[6][9][10] | His Excellency Deputy National Guard Commander | 1994 | 2003 | His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait (2006–Present) |
| 2 | Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah[6][11] | His Excellency Deputy National Guard Commander | 2004 | Present | Acting defense minister by protocol[6][11] |
Brigades
Part of the National Guard Combat Brigades
- Kuwait National Guard Liberation Brigade
- Kuwait National Guard Al-Soumoud (Resistant) Brigade
Equipment
Part of Armored Fighting Vehicles
| Name | Type | Quantity | Country of origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pandur | Armoured Personnel Carrier | 70 | Austria | 6 versions. First entered service 1997 |
| Desert Chameleon | Armoured Personnel Carrier | 29 | United States | 6x6 APC with 90mm cannon. First entered service 2011 |
| Shorland S600 | Armoured Personnel Carrier | 22 | United Kingdom | 5 versions. Ordered in 1997 |
| Véhicule Blindé Léger | Armoured Personnel Carrier | 20 | France | |
2015 Intervention in Yemen
The Kuwait National Guard went on alert as a result of the 2015 military intervention in Yemen by a coalition of forces of Arab countries including Kuwait. The National Guard, Kuwait Police, the Military of Kuwait and Fire Service Directorate activated defense plans to strengthen internal security measures.[12] Defense measures also included intensifying security around oil installations in Kuwait and abroad.[12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kuwait National Guard Mission Statement and History; Retrieved March 3, 2015 (Arabic Read)
- ↑ Kuwait National Guard Archives, Early Defense Cavaly & Infantry led by Sheikh Abdullah Jaber Al-Abdullah II Al-Sabah; Retrieved March 3, 2015 (Arabic Read)
- ↑ Kuwait National Guard Archives, Early Defense Cavalry & Infantry led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; Retrieved March 4, 2015
- ↑ Kuwait National Guard Archives; His Highness Sheikh Jaber Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; Retrieved March 4, 2015
- ↑ Kuwait National Guard Archives, Old and New, His Highness Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah; Retrieved March 4, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "- KUWAIT NATIONAL GUARD - الحرس الوطني الكويتي -". Retrieved March 2014. (Arabic Read)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Profile & Accomplishments of Kuwait National Guard Commander; His Highness Sheikh Salem Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah; Retrieved March 3, 2015 (Arabic Read)
- ↑ 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; Retrieved March 4, 2015
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Kuwait National Guard Archives; His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; Retrieved March 3, 2015 (Arabic Read)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "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. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kuwait on alert due to Yemen conflict- Armed Forces called to duty- Oil facilities on alert retrieved 28 March 2015