Kuwait’s Naval Forces have selected Rheinmetall to deliver the Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS), introducing the ship protection technology to the country for the first time.
Under the terms of the contract, eight vessels will be outfitted with MASS launchers, expanding Kuwait’s maritime defensive capabilities.
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The agreement was officially booked in the second quarter of 2026.
It encompasses the supply and integration of both the MASS launchers and Omnitrap-ER decoy ammunition, which feature enhancements including longer range and improved trajectories to better counter sophisticated radar- and infrared-guided missile threats.
Delivery of the equipment is due to commence in the second quarter of 2026, with installation and commissioning scheduled to conclude by the second quarter of 2029.
These MASS systems are earmarked for installation on Al Dorra-class guided-missile boats, which constitute the centrepiece of Kuwait’s most significant naval shipbuilding project in more than 15 years.
Construction of these stealth patrol vessels is currently underway at Abu Dhabi Ship Building. The EDGE Group, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), serves as the project’s prime contractor.
Designed for versatility, the MASS system protects vessels against a broad spectrum of threats by deploying multispectral decoys that cover radar, ultraviolet, electro-optical, laser, and infrared sensors.
Rheinmetall indicates that MASS can be adapted for platforms ranging from patrol boats to frigates, offering integration with shipboard command and weapon engagement systems, or the option to operate the system independently.
In its standard configuration, up to six trainable launchers may be installed per vessel, each capable of discharging up to 32 Omni Trap decoys.
Rheinmetall reports that its latest MASS variant, known as MASS nova, is engineered to address the emerging demands posed by modern threats.
This includes littoral and hypersonic weapons, as well as advanced munitions employing synthetic aperture radar technology, with the design focusing on enabling flexible and effective response options.
Financial details of the order value have not been disclosed but Rheinmetall estimates the MASS launcher contract falls in the low double-digit million-euro range, while the order for Omnitrap ammunition is valued in the high single-digit million-euro range.
Separately, in May, Leonardo and Abu Dhabi Ship Building announced a contract worth approximately €320m to deliver naval combat systems for the Kuwait Navy’s Al Dorra missile boat programme.
