MARSS Wins £370 Million Kuwait Counter-Drone Defence Contract

MARSS, the UK counter-drone company owned by Australia’s Electro Optic Systems (EOS), has signed a £370 million ($489 million) contract to build a nationwide counter-drone defence system for Kuwait. The company announced the award on October 12, 2026, and Army Technology reported it on October 13.

The UK government confirmed the deal on October 9. EOS has said the contract is still conditional, so work cannot start until financial and export conditions are met.

MARSS Kuwait Counter-Drone Contract

What MARSS Will Deliver to Kuwait

Under the contract MARSS will deploy a cellular network of sensors linked to NiDAR, the company said. Electro-optical, radar and sonar sensors at multiple sites feed centralised command centres, where NiDAR fuses the data into threat assessments. MARSS says the AI classifies threats automatically and recommends responses, which shortens the time from detection to defeat and eases the load on operators.

The package covers drones in the air and at sea. It includes an initial supply of hard-kill interceptors and soft-kill jammers, so operators can choose how to defeat a target. Neither MARSS nor EOS has published sensor or effector models or quantities.

“Over the coming 24 months, MARSS will integrate the sensors and effectors that protect Kuwait’s people, critical infrastructure and national assets,” said MARSS CEO Johannes Pinl. The company said the contract extends NiDAR systems already operating in the Gulf, and that it will train Kuwaiti operators over several months with a team based in Kuwait during the rollout.

Conditions Before Work Can Start

Army Technology’s report did not mention it, but the contract is not yet unconditional. Janes reported that EOS said conditions “remained outstanding” before work could commence, without naming them.

World Defense News, citing EOS disclosures, reported that EOS must secure a £74 million bank guarantee, which would trigger a matching £74 million advance payment from Kuwait, and obtain export licences for system components. It also reported that EOS gave no absolute assurance the conditions would be met, and that Kuwait could terminate the contract if they are not. We could not check the EOS filing directly.

The £370 million is a signed contract value, not revenue booked or cash received. That reading is analysis.

MARSS Counter-Drone Layers Compared

Taskforce Sabre and UK Jobs

The UK government said the deal will create 100 skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs, with production based in Bristol and MARSS expanding its UK offices. Army Technology called it one of the largest publicised deals under Taskforce Sabre, which pairs industry with government to speed up defence cooperation with Gulf states.

The government linked the contract to Iranian missile and drone attacks in the region. It noted that the UK has already supplied Kuwait with Rapid Sentry and that the RAF’s ORCUS counter-drone system is operating there.

MARSS Company Profile

Kuwait Contract Timeline

MARSS Kuwait Contract FAQ

How much is the MARSS Kuwait contract worth?

£370 million, which Army Technology converts to about $489 million.

Is MARSS a British company?

MARSS Systems Limited is UK-based, with production planned in Bristol. Since May 2026 it has been part of Australia’s Electro Optic Systems. MARSS Group describes itself as based in London, Riyadh and Monaco.

Is the Kuwait contract final?

It has been signed, but EOS said conditions were still outstanding before work could start. World Defense News reported a £74 million bank guarantee and export licences among them.

What is NiDAR?

MARSS’s AI-enabled command and control platform. It fuses data from radar, electro-optical and sonar sensors and, the company says, classifies threats and recommends responses.

What will Kuwait receive?

A nationwide network of sensors and command centres, an initial supply of interceptors and jammers, operator training and multi-year logistic support, delivered over 24 months.