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.
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Answering the demand signal to move faster, field sooner, iterate continuously
As threats rapidly evolve, digital engineering, manufacturing capacity and robust supply chains are critical to meeting challenges.
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.
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.
Modernizing defense enterprise IT without disrupting the mission
Government can’t stop to update systems, so modernization has to happen without interruptions.
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."
Saudi Arabia’s SAMI launches ‘transformation’ into strategic group, unveils new vehicles
“We are at a unique and important position in SAMI’s journey,” Wael Alsarhan, the organization’s chief communication and support services officer, told Breaking Defense.
World Defense Show Day 3: Saudis eye AI, and a local defense giant transforms
Catch what's new on the third day of the sprawling defense expo outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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America must adopt a Sixth Domain of warfare doctrine
The Sixth Domain is not defined by geography. It’s a new kind of conflict in which autonomy and networked systems allow thousand-dollar consumer electronics to destroy multi-million-dollar conventional weapons systems.
Future of military AI in Saudi Arabia: AI-enhanced, or AI-native?
A Saudi official raised the key question during a panel at the World Defense Show outside Riyadh.
Saudi firm Intra unveils counter-EW platform, eyes full production of Shalfa munition
The first Nathir X prototype was developed four months ago and is being field-tested now.
Electronic warfare and a KAAN update: Day 2 at Saudi Arabia’s 2026 World Defense Show
From American fighter jets to Turkish fighter jets, catch up on the latest from the World Defense Show.
From F-35s to full-sized naval vessels: Day 1 at Saudi Arabia’s WDS 2026
Breaking Defense is on the ground for Saudi Arabia's largest defense exhibition.