Global, Middle East

Qatar’s domestic weapons, Turkey’s drone arsenal and the Mecca pact’s next test

Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou breaks down efforts by Turkey and Gulf nations to bolster their defense capabilities amid ongoing regional instability.

In this edition of the Middle East Defense Digest, Breaking Defense Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou examines Turkey’s latest display of unmanned firepower, including swarming one-way attack drones, as well as Qatar’s push to expand its defense industry with new unmanned platforms and air defense capabilities. Helou also looks at a new agreement bringing Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia together on defense industrial cooperation.

Helou then speaks with RANE Network global security analyst Freddy Khoueiry about how Pakistan and Turkey could strengthen Saudi Arabia’s defenses against Houthi attacks. Khoueiry explains why the Mecca pact may be evolving beyond a traditional military alliance, combining collective defense with diplomatic outreach aimed at preventing a wider regional escalation.

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