The US State Department has approved a potential $1.98 billion Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for advanced counter-drone systems and related support equipment. The package includes Anduril’s Roadrunner and Anvil interceptors, Sentry Towers, electronic warfare systems, command-and-control networks, training, software, and logistical support.

The sale is intended to strengthen Kuwait’s ability to detect, track, and defeat unmanned aerial systems through both electronic and kinetic means, addressing current and emerging drone threats. US officials said the deal supports regional security and will enhance the capabilities of a key non-NATO ally without altering the military balance in the Middle East. The principal contractor is Anduril Industries, and the proposed sale is not expected to affect US military readiness.

The announcement comes in the wake of an Iranian drone strike on Kuwait International Airport that killed one person and injured dozens while damaging airport facilities during a wider wave of regional attacks. Kuwait condemned the strike, expelled Iranian diplomats, and blamed Tehran, while Iran denied responsibility.

The deal also reflects a broader shift toward “moneyball” military thinking, with defense planners emphasizing scalable, cost-efficient counter-drone systems and rapidly iterated technology stacks to match the economics of mass-produced unmanned threats. This approach is increasingly shaping Kuwait’s air defense modernization strategy across the Gulf.