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
Turkey grounds all C-130 military aircraft after Georgia crash kills 20 Authorities said the aircraft’s maintenance was up to date, no ammunition was on board and the investigation is ongoing. Turkey
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
Fighter jets, frigates & drones: Turkey signs $5.85B in export deals at IDEF Turkey is expanding its defense exports with major deals in South Asia and East Asia at IDEF 2025. Turkey
Analysis Eurofighters and drones: Turkey's IDEF25 marks leap toward defense autonomy The IDEF 25 reaffirms Turkey’s commitment to domestically developed defense technologies aimed at countering emerging security challenges. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
US approves $4.67B NASAMS air defense package for Egypt The State Department announced the massive arms sale after Trump suggested the US may re-engage diplomatically with Egypt and Ethiopia, resurrecting a bid to resolve a yearslong dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Turkey, UK near deal as Germany approves Eurofighter sale: What to know Turkey and the United Kingdom inked a preliminary agreement for the sale of 40 Eurofighter jets after Germany lifted its hold on the deal. Turkey
Iran, Russia launch naval drills ahead of trilateral nuclear talks with China Naval forces from Iran and Russia begin joint military drills in the Caspian Sea, reflecting deepening ties between the two countries that come just weeks after Iran’s 12-day war with Israel and the collapse of nuclear talks with the United States. Iran
China’s premier makes first visit to Egypt as ties grow: What we know Egypt and China have significantly deepened their ties in recent years across various sectors such as trade, defense, technology and the economy. Egypt
Analysis What Iran’s hospital strike reveals about Israel’s missile defense limits The direct strike highlights the limits of Israel's vaunted aerial defense systems as the Iran-Israel war intensifies. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
What we know about Fordow, Iran's secretive nuclear site Israel struggles to hit A recent report indicated that Israel might need US help to hit Fordow, a heavily fortified facility located up to 300 feet underground. Iran
Iran's barrages hit at least 10 Israeli cities, towns: What to know Iran’s latest wave of strikes on Israel reflects an escalation in strategy since its 2024 strikes, targeting urban centers and involving a broader range of missiles and drones. Iran
Italy cuts ties with Israeli firm Paragon after spyware scandal: What to know The cancellation comes after reports revealed Paragon software being used to surveil Italian activists and, allegedly, a journalist. Israel
US green-lights $325 million in sustainment for Kuwait’s M1 Abrams tanks The Trump administration has notified Congress of a $325 million arms sale to Kuwait for tank maintenance, part of broader efforts to strengthen Gulf defense ties and streamline US arms transfers. Kuwait
AI chips, drones, jets: A look at Trump's $3.2 trillion megadeals during Gulf trip Amid photo ops and lavish receptions, President Donald Trump’s Gulf trip yielded $3.2 trillion in announced deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — though some details remain vague. United States
