H.E. Sheikh Jaber Deij Al-Malik Al-Sabah witnessed the laying of the main model and steel-cutting for Kuwait’s Al-Durra missile ships project, a robust defence collaboration involving Singapore’s ST Engineering and the Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding Company.a
On 20 October 2026, H.E. Sheikh Jaber Deij Al-Malik Al-Sabah, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Singapore, participated in a significant maritime defence ceremony at the ST Engineering shipyard. The event marked the laying of the main model for the third ship, alongside the ceremonial steel-cutting for the fourth and fifth vessels of the highly anticipated “Al-Durra” project, which aims to deliver eight advanced missile ships for the Kuwaiti Navy.
The Al-Durra project stands as a testament to strategic international defence partnerships. Under this initiative, Singapore’s ST Engineering has been tasked with the construction of three of the missile ships. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding Company (ADSB) is overseeing the construction of the remaining five vessels in the United Arab Emirates, showcasing a multi-national effort to modernise Kuwait’s maritime fleet.
The landmark ceremony was attended by a distinguished delegation of military and industry leaders. Key figures present included Major General Sef Abdul Hadi Al-Hamlan, Commander of the Kuwaiti Navy, Mr Tan Leung Ping, Head of Marine Industries at ST Engineering, and Mr Maktoum Al-Shahi, Chief Executive of Operations at ADSB, along with various officials and representatives from the participating technology and engineering firms.
This ambitious shipbuilding endeavour comes as part of Kuwait’s broader strategic efforts to upgrade its naval fleet and fortify its national defence capabilities. By incorporating cutting-edge maritime technology and partnering with global leaders in defence engineering, Kuwait is actively enhancing its operational readiness to ensure regional maritime security.
Following the formal proceedings, the Ambassador and the Kuwaiti delegation were taken on a comprehensive tour of the ST Engineering shipyard facilities. During the visit, H.E. Sheikh Jaber Deij Al-Malik Al-Sabah reviewed the real-time stages of the project’s implementation and was briefed on the modern engineering techniques and innovative technologies being utilised to bring the Al-Durra missile ships to life.
Source: Kuwait Embassy Singapore
