China makes presence felt at Saudi Arabian defense show, outpacing US, Russia

China makes presence felt at Saudi Arabian defense show, outpacing US, Russia
China makes presence felt at Saudi Arabian defense show, outpacing US, Russia

The wide range of equipment on display by China was dominated by armed and unarmed drones, but also covered fighter jet models, air-to-air missiles, long-range air and missile defense systems, anti-tank and C4ISR kit.

South Africa’s Milkor ready to locally produce 380 UCAV for Saudi Arabia, pending procurement talks

South Africa’s Milkor ready to locally produce 380 UCAV for Saudi Arabia, pending procurement talks
South Africa’s Milkor ready to locally produce 380 UCAV for Saudi Arabia, pending procurement talks

Discussions with Saudi Arabia are part of wider efforts to expand business in the Middle East and Europe, which also includes a plan to “set up shop” in the United Arab Emirates, according to Milkor’s Harry Cassidy.

Germany lifts block on Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Saudi Arabia: Reports

Germany lifts block on Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Saudi Arabia: Reports
Germany lifts block on Eurofighter Typhoon sale to Saudi Arabia: Reports

Germany had long blocked the sale of the fighters, but now the German foreign minister reportedly said the situation in the Middle East has changed.

Gaza war, increased production and unmanned proliferation: Middle East 2023 in review

Gaza war, increased production and unmanned proliferation: Middle East 2023 in review
Gaza war, increased production and unmanned proliferation: Middle East 2023 in review

From tectonic geopolitical shifts to billion-dollar-defense deals, here’s just some of the key events in the Middle East in 2023.

Dassault CEO talks Saudi interest in Rafale, takes a shot at F-35 and reveals FCAS details

Dassault CEO talks Saudi interest in Rafale, takes a shot at F-35 and reveals FCAS details
Dassault CEO talks Saudi interest in Rafale, takes a shot at F-35 and reveals FCAS details

A simmering dispute between London and Berlin over exporting Eurofighter Typhoons to Saudi Arabia could pave the way for Dassault’s rival Rafale offer to succeed, Eric Trappier suggested.

UK, Italy, Japan ink GCAP stealth fighter treaty, reveal new program details

UK, Italy, Japan ink GCAP stealth fighter treaty, reveal new program details
UK, Italy, Japan ink GCAP stealth fighter treaty, reveal new program details

The joint effort to get a sixth-gen stealth fighter in the air by 2035 is to be headquartered in the UK, while a Japanese official will be the first program leader.

Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit

Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit
Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit

US partners Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are sending a message to US with high-profile Putin meetings, analysts told Breaking Defense.

‘Hard nut to crack’: Why major Gulf and Turkish firms shy away from AUSA

‘Hard nut to crack’: Why major Gulf and Turkish firms shy away from AUSA
‘Hard nut to crack’: Why major Gulf and Turkish firms shy away from AUSA

Analysts told Breaking Defense there might be a couple reasons firms that are going big in the Middle East, Europe and Latin America won’t be in Washington next week.

In nuclear push, Saudi Arabia could play US, China off each other

In nuclear push, Saudi Arabia could play US, China off each other
In nuclear push, Saudi Arabia could play US, China off each other

Saudi Arabia is making a push for nuclear power as part of any US-brokered pact with Israel – and Riyadh won’t be shy about seeking what it wants.

US, Saudi Arabia conduct ‘biggest, most complex’ live fire CENTCOM c-UAS exercise

US, Saudi Arabia conduct ‘biggest, most complex’ live fire CENTCOM c-UAS exercise
US, Saudi Arabia conduct ‘biggest, most complex’ live fire CENTCOM c-UAS exercise

“Our objective during this live fire exercise was to shoot down UAS from dawn to dusk,” Col. Robert McVey told Breaking Defense.

Any Saudi-Israeli normalization requires clearing major security, defense roadblocks: Experts

Any Saudi-Israeli normalization requires clearing major security, defense roadblocks: Experts
Any Saudi-Israeli normalization requires clearing major security, defense roadblocks: Experts

This week senior US official Jake Sullivan said no announcement was “imminent,” and experts told Breaking Defense several real obstacles remain in the diplomatic path.

In a first, Saudi drone to be produced in Turkey

In a first, Saudi drone to be produced in Turkey
In a first, Saudi drone to be produced in Turkey

The agreement “shows that the Saudi defense industry is expanding its capacity to develop systems critical to its military capability. It also says that knowledge transfer is a fundamental value for its defense relations,” an analyst said.

Non-US firms are winning big deals in the Gulf. Can Washington reverse the trend?

Non-US firms are winning big deals in the Gulf. Can Washington reverse the trend?
Non-US firms are winning big deals in the Gulf. Can Washington reverse the trend?

The US remains the major player in the region, but there are reasons to be nervous about both Europe and South Korean firms moving in.

Saudi, UAE presence at Istanbul defense show signals tightening industry ties with Turkey

Saudi, UAE presence at Istanbul defense show signals tightening industry ties with Turkey
Saudi, UAE presence at Istanbul defense show signals tightening industry ties with Turkey

For the first time since its launch in 2017, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) has participated in the defense show in Istanbul as part of the Saudi Pavilion, one of the largest international spaces at the show.