Kuwaiti Government Pledges Million Pound Donation to The Tank Museum in Bovington
The Kuwaiti government has announced it will be making a £1.5million donation to The Tank Museum in Bovington in recognition of the role played by the Royal Armoured Corps in the liberation of the country in the 1991 Gulf War.
The generous donation will be presented by the Kuwaiti ambassador during this year’s Tankfest weekend (26th – 27th June) in front of a crowd of thousands at the annual military fest.
The Tank Museum holds some of the most important armoured vehicles to fight in the war to liberate Kuwait, including a Challenger 1 (pictured) which was the very first tank to cross the Kuwaiti border from Saudi Arabia in February 1991. Not only will the tank itself be part of the Tankfest action displays but its commander from the day of the invasion, General Arthur Denaro, will also be part of the presentation.
The unveiling of a commemorative plaque will mark the official donation from the Middle-Eastern nation and will take place on the second day of Tankfest, Sunday 27th June at 15:00. The donation will be received by Tank Museum patron, the Duke of Kent.
The Tank Museum Director Richard Smith said: “It’s a great honour for The Museum to receive this donation from the people of Kuwait and we are all extremely grateful.
“Our collection includes some of the world’s most important tanks and these incredible artefacts are often the best record there is for some of the most significant moments in history. By maintaining the tanks that have played integral roles in shaping the world as we know it, we are able to preserve the legacies and stories of their servicemen for future generations.”
In recognition of the donation The Tank Museum will be naming its purpose built outdoor tank arena, which was built as part of a £16.5million redevelopment programme completed last year, The Kuwait Arena.
A series of live Tank Action and living history demonstrations will make the arena the focus for much of the Tankfest weekend with its full programme of displays and mock-battles. To mark Armed Forces Day, this year sees the Royal Armoured Corps perform a unique re-enactment of counter-insurgency operations, which will be the only opportunity outside of Afghanistan to see such a display.
The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG UK Tel: (+44) (0)1929 405096
www.tankmuseum.org
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