Saudia Arabia

As UAV tech spreads, Gulf firms bet on upgrades with drone-to-satellite links

Middle East firms seek to produce their own long-range drones using satellite links, company officials and experts told Breaking Defense.

Saudi Chinook delivery on schedule, Boeing turns eyes to F-15 upgrades

A Boeing executive said the Saudis have successful used their F-15SA to “kill” cruise missiles fired by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen, a missile defense capability that the Kingdom needs.

US Loosens Export Rules For Military Drones

The change would make available all Category I drones currently made by the US, including the long-loitering surveillance and armed systems which have played a key role in Washington’s counterterrorism fights.  

Senior Senate Dem Begins Pushback Against New Saudi Arms Deal

The latest Trump Administration sale to Saudi Arabia is tied up with the recent firing of the State Department's Inspector General, congressional unease, and a Saudi regime with few friends outside the White House.

SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’

While Washington warns of conflict with Iran, some former Trump administration officials complain the persistent problems in the Middle East are hurting the promised reset to meet Chinese, Russian challenges.

Esper Presses Hard For New Civilian Casualty Policy

“The US is doing far more than its allies in coming to grips with causing civilian harm,” a human rights NGO representative who has met with Pentagon leaders said. Still, the gap between government estimates and those from groups on the ground is often wide. 

NATO’s Not Ready For Saudi-Style Drone Attacks; ‘It’s A Serious Problem’

“The threat that we face has developed faster,” than countermeasures, giving adversaries like Russia, and Iran, some asymmetric advantages.

GOP & Dems Fight Trump To Stop $8B Saudi, UAE Arms Deals

A key Trump ally, Sen. Lindsay Graham, bucks the White House on its proposed $8 billion arms sale.

Trump Administration Warns Friends Against Russia Arms Deals

As some Gulf and Asian allies consider big purchases of Russia arms, the Senate is set to uphold a law signed by Trump that would slap sanctions on them for cozying up with Moscow.

China’s Eating Up US Drone Market; U.S. Troops At Risk

While Washington struggles to update its arms export policies, China is spreading its influence, one drone sale at a time.

Why the U.S. Military Should Stay Out Of Iran

It’s not that often that a major in the US military — albeit now a reservist — points the finger at the Defense Secretary and says, sir, you’re wrong, and does it in writing and in public. Here you have it. Army Maj. Danny Sjursen, expressing his own unofficial opinions, says Iran is Jim Mattis’ […]

No Win In Syria: We’ll Be Glad To Keep Assad

It seems just like old times: the Turk is back in the Levant, Aleppo is under siege, and the ikhwan (Muslim Brotherhood) is dispensing justice. When did it all go wrong?  When the Americans decided the stuttering ophthalmologist wouldn’t play rough like his fighter pilot dad had. As Donald Trump would tweet: Sad! Sadder still is […]

Iraq And The Transformation of the Royal Australian Air Force

  Washington often grumbles about its allies and their contributions — or lack thereof — to the common defense. But some allies are making key investments in 21st century weapons to operate against 21st century threats. A good example is the Royal Australian Air Force  (RAAF) and its operations against ISIL in Iraq. The RAAF strike force flew […]