Mideast Africa

State Department clears weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been given the green light by the State Department to purchase billions worth of missiles and equipment.

Global military spending hits record high

Find out how much money goes to funding militaries around the world, plus how many warheads are still deployed.

Pentagon reviews removing Morocco as host of largest military exercise in Africa

The Defense Department is looking at alternative locations to host the largest military exercise in Africa amid Senate pressure to bump Morocco from its coveted position as an annual host for the drills.

US Marine Corps successfully tests Iron Dome-based air defense

Iron Dome maker Rafael said in a statement that the test results were in line with prior simulations done by Marine Corps analysts.

Iranian envoy responds to US claim it’s selling drones to Russia

Earlier in the war, Iran was criticized in the West for not condemning Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

Iran to deliver armed drones to Russia, White House says

The White House says it believes Russia is turning to Iran to provide it with “hundreds” of unmanned aerial vehicles for use in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Navy offers cash for tips to seize Mideast drugs, weapons

The program comes amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and Tehran’s arming of Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

British military announces capture of smuggled Iranian missiles

It’s the first time a British warship has interdicted vessels carrying such sophisticated weapons from Iran, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Israel orders hundreds of new combat vehicles for special forces

Israel will purchase hundreds of combat vehicles from Israel Aerospace Industries for the country’s special forces in a deal worth more than $28 million.

Israel’s defense industry unveils new weapons at Paris defense confab

The biennial Eurosatory show is expected to attract large interest amid the war in Ukraine, following a pandemic-related pause in 2020.

Biden nominates Marine general as next commander of US forces in Africa

If confirmed, he would become the Marine Corps' first Black four-star general.

Turkey starts mass production of miniature drone missile

Engineers have has extended the Bozok’s range from an original 9 km to 15 km, and they are working on a more effective warhead.

Marines closing down Kuwait gear stockpile to focus on Pacific

The Marine Corps is shuttering its combat gear storage program in the Middle East.

Israel simulates long-range airstrikes over Mediterranean

The drill took place as part of a larger, monthlong military exercise, which included earlier combat simulations in Cyprus.

Israel launches Edge of Tomorrow program to improve lethality, bring in new tech

Edge of Tomorrow is meant to ultimately deliver thousands of systems, as well as technology later developed based on those systems, for operational use.

Commentary

Israel has a KC-46 problem. Here’s the solution.

The U.S. and Israel urgently need to replace their aging aerial refueling fleets with the modernized KC-46A. The problem is the aircraft has been plagued by development challenges and delays.

US State Dept. approves $1 billion sale to Nigeria, delayed over human rights concerns

The U.S. State Department has cleared the sale of 12 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria worth nearly $1 billion, apparently after U.S. lawmakers lifted objections over human rights concerns.

US awaits final $17 million repayment from Saudis for air refueling in Yemen war

Between March 2015 and November 2018, the Pentagon spent about $300 million to fly aerial refueling missions in support of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others engaged in the nearly eight-year conflict.

AFRICOM’s chief warned Mali about the Wagner Group. It didn’t work.

America’s top commander for Africa said Thursday he personally urged Mali’s ruling military junta not to invite in Russian mercenaries the Wagner Group before it did just that.

New security training and oversight after 2020 Manda Bay attack

All troops deploying to U.S Africa Command will receive the new training.

Saudi industry to produce THAAD air defense subsystems

In the first program of its kind in Saudi Arabia, a local organization is teaming with American firm Lockheed Martin to produce parts for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

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.

Israel reveals first time it used F-35 to shoot down Iranian drone

Israel says the interception took place before the UAVs could enter Israeli airspace. This means they were shot down over the airspace of at least one other country.

Turkey’s policy changes could see defense biz grow with Gulf rivals

Analysts agree that, faced with declining approval ratings, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan needs to lure foreign investment and boost mutual trade partnerships to improve the economy ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2023.

Here’s what stood out at the UAE’s unmanned defense expo

And see the systems that Russian, Chinese, Indian and American businesses showed off to potential clients.