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The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Middle East District has awarded an architect-engineer design task order to a joint venture of US companies Aecom and Black & Veatch for the design of Kuwait’s air defence infrastructure.

The contract covers the design of multiple National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams) tactical sites and communication tower infrastructure for the Kuwait Ministry of Defence.

The award represents a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening Kuwait’s sovereign air defence capabilities. It was issued under an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract.

The task order is the latest in a series of US-backed defence awards in Kuwait this year. In May, the Middle East District awarded a $9.1m firm fixed price contract to local firm Combined Group Contracting Company to build an engine shop and an airframes shop, along with pavement works. The scope includes an option to construct a squadron operational facility.

In February, the district awarded a $31.4m firm fixed price contract to Kuwait’s Al-Ghanim Combined Group to construct a quick reaction area and combat aircraft loading area. The scope covers four parking shelters, five aircraft sunshades and airfield pavement, together housing 13 aircraft separated by reinforced barricades.

Air defence focus

Air defences across the GCC have been in the spotlight this year following a series of attacks originating from Iran. Kuwait has felt a significant impact, with strikes reported on its international airport, oil and gas infrastructure, and US military installations hosted in the country. The disruption has sharpened regional demand for advanced surface-to-air systems and driven renewed investment in protective infrastructure.

Regional awards

The USACE’s Middle East District has remained active across the wider region in 2026. In March, it said it had awarded a $48m IDIQ contract to Al-Rawabet Commercial Services Contracting Company for operations and maintenance support at the Falcon 5/F-15QA facilities at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. USACE turned over the $500m facilities associated with that programme in spring 2025.

The same month, the district awarded a $14.6m firm fixed price contract, with a further $5m in options, to the US’ Pearlson Shiplift Corporation for the refurbishment of the ship lift system at King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The work will upgrade vessel-handling infrastructure used by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

In Egypt, the district has awarded a contract to build a maintenance hangar for four CH-47F aircraft, with an apron extension providing five parking spots, an aircraft wash rack and a new access road.

READ THE AUGUST 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

Saudi Arabia builds for the global stage; Rising uncertainty creates fresh set of challenges in the Maghreb; Gulf banks remain robust in the face of geopolitical tensions.

Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the August 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes: