Exercise Sky Shield: Patriot missiles light up Kuwait's skies in counter-drone drill

Across the dry, arid expanse of Kuwait, its military forces conducted a live-fire test of the Patriot missile system as part of an advanced counter-drone exercise. 

Exercise Sky Shield, led by the Kuwaiti Air Defence Force (KAF), involved units from the UK, US and Bahrain, underscoring interoperability between the nations. 

Developed by the US, the Patriot system is designed to intercept and destroy incoming cruise missiles and hostile aircraft, a crucial defence in the new era of hybrid warfare. 

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In a post on X, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) praised the "great work" of the KAF for a successful execution of its missiles. 

With a name that is short for Phase Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target, the Patriot's batteries consist of eight launchers, each with the capacity to fire four missiles. 

The system can track 100 threats from 60 miles away and has seen extensive operational use – most notably in Ukraine – in the year following Russia's 2022 invasion.