Agnes Helou
Agnes Helou was a Middle East correspondent for Defense News. Her interests include missile defense, cybersecurity, the interoperability of weapons systems and strategic issues in the Middle East and Gulf region.
All Stories By Agnes
Chinese and Saudi firms create joint venture to make military drones in the kingdom
Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems Co. signed an agreement with China Electronics Technology Group Corp., with the two companies announcing their tie-up during the World Defense Show in Riyadh.
Lebanon’s Air Force to arm newly refurbished AB 212 helicopters
The Lebanese Air Force has refurbished an Agusta-Bell AB 212 helicopter as part of a proof of concept, and will now begin a five-year project to revive the fleet with five operational helicopters.
Saudi Arabia is developing a new counter-drone system
Saudi Arabian Military Industries is working on a new national counter-drone system to address asymmetric threats to the country.
How can Saudi Arabia secure its airspace? Here’s what the kingdom could do, and is already up to
About two months have passed since the attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities by drone swarms and low-altitude cruise missiles. What steps has the country taken to bolster its defenses?
UAE launches ‘Edge’ conglomerate to address its ‘antiquated military industry’
The United Arab Emirates has launched a government-owned company to address the threat of hybrid warfare and streamline the local defense industry.
Leonardo sees market opportunity for M-346 attack variant in Middle East
After the first order of its fighter attack variant of the M-346, Italian firm Leonardo is marketing the fighter jet in the Middle East.
Limits on Western arms exports helped spur indigenous Saudi and UAE defense industry
There's something ironic about why indigenous production in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is spreading.
Lebanese Air Force commander on expanding the light-attack fleet
The commander of the Lebanese Air Force answers questions about materiel procurement plans.
Aselsan CEO sets sights on global customers
Aselsan unveiled its new close-in weapon system during the 2019 International Defence Industry Fair in Turkey — the latest in a grand plan to expand export sales, said Chief Executive Haluk Gorgun.
Emirati DarkMatter unveils ‘ultra secure’ armored smartphone
Katim R01 is a multilayered ultra-secure smartphone designed to withstand extreme field conditions as well as cyberattacks and hackers.
