ST Engineering Fearless-class selected for Kuwaiti missile boats

ST Engineering has secured a major sub-contract to support the construction of eight new missile gun boats for Kuwait. This deal reinforces the presence of Singaporean naval designs in the Middle East as regional maritime tensions continue to rise.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on April 2, 2026.

ST Engineering’s Marine business has won a six-year sub-contract worth approximately S$600 million (£353 million/$466 million) for the Kuwait Naval Force, according to an April 1 press release. The agreement was signed with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), which is the prime contractor for the fleet. Kuwait was reported to have ordered Falaj 3 missile boats in June 2025, but it is not clear if this announcement reflects a new contract.

• EDGE to build Falaj 3 missile boats for Kuwait in record deal – Calibre Defence 
• ST Engineering launches Victory, first drone mothership for Singapore – Calibre Defence  
• BR71 MK II Corvette Launch Announced by EDGE Group – Calibre Defence 

Under the deal, ST Engineering will design and supply platform systems for eight vessels. Furthermore, the company will build three of these ships at its Singapore shipyard, while ADSB constructs the remainder.

The new vessels will be based on the ST Engineering Fearless-class patrol vessel design. This follows a similar 2021 award where ADSB utilised the design for four UAE Navy offshore patrol vessels called Falaj-3. The contract underscores the regional demand for advanced maritime security solutions capable of littoral and blue-water operations.

The partnership between ST Engineering and ADSB also reflects a shift towards sovereign shipbuilding capabilities in the UAE. By leveraging Singaporean technical expertise, ADSB is positioning itself as a major regional hub. For instance, the company recently announced delivery of the first BR71 MK II corvette to the Angolan Navy, and is developing a ship called Rabdan, which is based entirely on ADSB intellectual property.

Calibre comment: Kuwait’s missile boats 

EDGE announced the contract with Kuwait less than a year ago, but the security situation was quite different. Iran was a problematic actor in the region that had conducted multiple disruptive operations. However, much of its anger was directed towards Israel and the US, often through proxies. After Operation Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, however, much of that anger has been focused on the Middle East in general. Lashing out with drone and missile strikes, as well as closing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has severely impacted the interests of the Gulf States. This context means that Kuwait’s patrol vessels will come into service in a fundamentally changed world. In theory, there is scope for the Gulf States to take a greater role in the security of the region, and increasing independence of companies like ADSB could prove to be key enablers in that regard. 

The lead image shows a concept rendering of the Fearless class. Credit: ST Engineering.