Analysis Turkey's Kizilelma fighter jet redefines capability in air warfare: What to know The unmanned fighter jet logged the first such strike by a drone against another drone in flight, underscoring Ankara’s ambition for next-generation aircraft. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
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
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
Turkey's military scorecard: Naval and aerial advances but lacks money, speed If Turkey wants to play in the "big leagues" with the United States, Russia and China, it has to provide its military-industrial complex with greater pace and resources. Turkey
Iran showcases Shahed drones, missiles at Qatar's defense exhibition This year’s Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference features Iranian drones, Russian warships and delegations from across Asia and Africa. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis US Navy faces down Houthi attacks as Washington signals open-ended effort Saudi Arabia has restricted the US military from launching strikes in Yemen via Saudi airspace, leaving an aging US Navy aircraft carrier to shoulder the campaign in the Red Sea. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Israel’s military exports to India booming, 'unaffected' by war in Gaza Israel has been one of the top military exporters to India over the past decade. Israel
South Africa’s Milkor gets go-ahead to produce drones in Saudi Arabia The Gulf country is bolstering its defense capabilities amid increasing instability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
State Department to notify Congress of Turkey’s F-16 sale: sources Sources told Al-Monitor that the State Department will formally notify Congress of the pending F-16 sale as soon as today. Turkey
Germany reverses, to greenlight Eurofighter jets to Saudi Arabia Germany stopped selling arms to Saudi Arabia following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018, but has since come under increasing pressure to allow the sale of the jets to the Gulf country. Saudi Arabia
In shift, Erdogan links Sweden’s NATO accession to Turkey's F-16 acquisition On eve of his Greece visit, and after insisting for months that Sweden's pending NATO membership and Turkey's purchase of F-16s should be separate, Erdogan is now linking the two outcomes. Turkey
What weapons is US selling to Saudi Arabia in latest $582 million deal? The sale coincides with increased Houthi attacks in Gulf waters and growing Saudi concerns over its defense posture following the Israel-Hamas war. Saudi Arabia
Israel, Turkey firms among world’s top 100 arms makers: SIPRI Turkey’s Baykar, manufacturer of Bayraktar drones, recorded the largest revenue among the world’s top 100 arms producers and military service providers. Turkey
Why Iran's military aircraft deal with Russia is significant leap for both Tehran receives the equipment as it continues to boost a military alliance with Moscow that has come under the international spotlight and scrutiny since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Iran
Iran unveils new Deylaman warship capable of launching cruise missiles The new warship is part of Iran’s efforts to increase its military presence in the Caspian Sea. Iran
