China, UAE to hold third air force drills as defense ties warm: What we know China and the United Arab Emirates are further deepening their defense and military ties with a third round of aerial exercises. United Arab Emirates
Turkey defense firms break record with $10B in revenues: SIPRI Turkey set a new record with five companies in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Top 100 for 2024, which included nine Middle Eastern countries for the first time amid conflict-driven arms demand. Turkey
US approves $1.4B in military sales to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain: What to know An estimated $1 billion in foreign military sales will go to Saudi Arabia, and $445 million will go to Bahrain. United States
Trump says US will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia, first Arab country to acquire jets The deal could rattle Washington's ties with Israel and is not likely to be approved by Congress unless conditioned on Saudi normalization of ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Turkey boosts R&D spending to $20B amid push for defense self-sufficiency By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
UAE says French fighter jets no substitute for US F-35 The head of the UAE's air force sought to clarify comments by France's President Emmanuel Macron last week. United Arab Emirates
UAE signs $19 billion fighter jet deal with France The sale of Dassault Rafale jets and Caracal helicopters marks Paris' largest foreign military sale to date. United Arab Emirates
Egypt reveals new drones at Cairo defense expo Cairo is hosting the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) through Thursday. Egypt
Israel approves $2.4 billion purchase of US CH-53 helicopters Israel is seeking to replace its fleet of heavy-lift helicopters over the next few years. Israel
Hamas student group hosts military exhibition in Gaza The Islamic Bloc, Hamas' student wing, held an exhibition in the Gaza Strip to showcase Hamas' history and military prowess. Palestine
Morocco acquires Israeli anti-drone air defense system Israel's defense minister is expected in Rabat on Wednesday to finalize further deals. Morocco
Iraq diversifies arms imports after US withdrawal from Afghanistan The US withdrawal may have spurred Iraq to consider purchases from Turkey and Pakistan, according to report by the Pentagon's Inspector General. News Brief
Intel: Russia displays new fighter jet at Dubai Airshow 2021 With the Su-75 Checkmate on display, Russia aims to remind the Emirates and other nations they have options when it comes to fifth-generation fighters. Russia / Mideast
Dubai Airshow 2021 kicks off with expectations of big deals The rise in attacks around the region in recent years using drones pushed the sales of UAV technologies in the Middle East to reach $1.5 billion over the last five years. Legacy: Gulf
Israel floats trial for new balloon-based drone, missile-detecting radar The early-detection balloon and radar are the latest in Israel's rapidly growing arsenal of missile defense systems. Israel
In troubled US-Turkey relations, F-16 deal seen as path for dialogue US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Sunday to discuss an F-16 fighter jet purchase, which analysts see as an avenue for “positive” dialogue amid bilateral tensions. Turkey
Ukraine uses Turkish drone for first time against pro-Russian forces Turkey's ties with Ukraine have complicated relations with Russia. News Brief
