Bovington Tank Museum to receive £1.5m Kuwaiti donation

The Challenger 1 tanks were used during the 1991 Gulf War

A Dorset tank museum is to receive a £1.5m donation from the Kuwaiti government to preserve its collection.

The money for the Bovington attraction is in recognition of the role played by the Royal Armoured Corps in liberating the country in the 1991 Gulf War.

The donation will be presented by the Kuwaiti ambassador during this year's Tankfest over the 26-27 June weekend.

The museum holds a Challenger 1 which was the first type of tank to cross the Kuwaiti border to help fight the war.

It will also be part of the Tankfest event along with its commander from the day of the invasion, General Arthur Denaro.

'Preserve legacies'

Richard Smith, museum director, 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 a new outdoor tank arena, which was built as part of a £16.5m redevelopment programme completed last year, will be named The Kuwait Arena.