Saudi Arabia aims to local-source 50% of future arms acquisitions
Being the world’s fourth highest defence spender, Saudi Arabia is aiming to direct its expenditure to develop a robust domestic defence industry.
Middle East
Is the Altay MBT nearing production?
Turkish news outlets are reporting that Otokar is ready to mass produce the Altay main battle tank
New Russian attack helicopters spotted in Syria
On the day that a number of Russian aircraft left Syria, Mi-28NE “Night Hunter” and Ka-52 “Alligator” dedicated attack helicopters entered the country.
First group of Russian planes leave Syria
According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, a batch of Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers left Hmeymin Airbase near Latakia (Bashar al-Assad’s stronghold).
Egypt will use loans to help fund new French weapons
Egypt will secure $3.76 billion U.S. in loans from France in order to fund its acquisition of various big-ticket French armaments.
Qatar Pushes Rafale Purchase into Full Gear
Dassault Aviation has recently received Doha’s down payment in support of a $6.9 billion U.S deal for 24 Rafale multi-role fighters (as well as requisite...
First Egyptian Type 209/1400 Submarine launched in Germany
The first of four Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarines (SSK) for the Egyptian Navy was recently launched by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany.
Turkey’s New Long-Range Air Defence System to be Indigenous?
While Turkey did re-open talks with Raython and Eurosam, it has ultimately opted to pursue a local solution instead of an off-the-shelf alternative in the...
China Unveils FC-31; Brief Analysis of Possible Buyer(s)
The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) recently unveiled the FC-31 Gyrfalcon at the 2015 Dubai Air Show. The twin-engine FC-31 is marketed as a...
With the Su-34 the Bear is Not Pulling its Punches
By Bilal Khan 10 October 2015 I very much underestimated how far Russia was willing to go in Syria. Where I previously posited that its...