US clears $24B F-35 sale for Saudi Arabia
The approval comes a year after President Donald Trump announced Riyadh would be permitted to buy the highly advanced stealth fighters, though lawmakers could still block the sale.
US clears $5B in JDAMs for Saudi Arabia, other Middle East deals
Roughly $6.1 billion of military equipment was cleared for potential sales to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iraq, spanning precision munitions to fighter jet sustainment, according to the State Department.
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Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani defense pact to boost Turkish industry, entire trilateral ‘ecosystem’
“The Mecca Pact should not be viewed simply as an arms-export agreement. It is much broader," one expert told Breaking Defense.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan ink ‘joint defense’ agreement
The agreement says that "any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all."
Italy’s controversial Gulf military mission enters public spotlight
“This is certainly one of Italy’s most significant deployments to the Gulf in many years — its importance lies not only in the number of personnel, but, above all, in the quality and scarcity of capabilities sent,” one Italian analyst said.
Russia’s windfall from the Iran war is temporary. Ukraine’s isn’t.
Kyiv, unlike Moscow, has secured strategic advantages from the war in Iran, writes Artur Kalandarov.
Building logistics networks for contested environments
Explore how software, edge AI and resilient connectivity can strengthen military logistics in contested environments. Join Breaking Defense on Oct. 21 and earn 1 CPE credit.
How the Iran conflict might change defense investments in the Gulf
Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou talks Iran and interviews the CEO of SCOPA in this edition of the Middle East Defense Digest.
Iran conflict could open door for new players in Gulf defense market
As Gulf countries reassess defense needs after the Iran conflict, new entrants may find a windfall, writes Alek Jovovic of CSIS.
Ukraine inks defense agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with UAE to follow
“Ukraine has been countering [Iranian drones] for years [and] all features of this defense are of interest to the Gulf,” Samuel Bendett, adviser at Center for New America Security, told Breaking Defense.
Unmanned in the air and at sea at World Defense Show 2026
Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou gets up close and personal with some American unmanned platforms in Saudi Arabia.
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A new era of uncrewed airpower: GA-ASI’s lineup for high-tech warfare
GA-ASI is serious about retaining its position as the leading provider of UAS to the United States and its allies.
Saudi Arabia courts the defense world at WDS 2026, as SAMI transforms
Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou on the latest industry moves in the region at the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia.
SCOPA exec details Saudi firm’s relaunch, reveals ambitious aims
"A company cannot work with East and West. You have to make strategic decisions. And the decision has been made within SCOPA. We're working with NATO countries," company executive Walid Abu Khaled told Breaking Defense.
Takeaways from Saudi Arabia’s biggest defense show, and a small arms tour
This week on The Break Out, head to the World Defense Show outside Riyadh.
Estonians in Saudi Arabia for ‘first steps’ in potential defense procurement team-up: Official
The two nations are exploring closer cooperation, Siim Sukles told Breaking Defense, "because when it comes to procurement, it's a global market."