Swedish defense company Saab has delivered the United Arab Emirates’ fifth and final order of GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft under a $1 billion deal signed in 2015. The initial contract required the delivery of three aircraft, but the Emirates exercised an option to purchase two additional planes in 2020. The company completed...
Category: Middle East
Leonardo DRS Named Principal Contractor for Israel’s Potential $164M Heavy-Duty Tank Trailer Procurement
Leonardo DRS will be the principal contractor of a potential foreign military sale of heavy-duty tank trailers and related equipment to the Israeli government. The proposed deal, worth $164.6 million, has secured Department of State approval, allowing Israel to procure more HDTT units and equipment in addition to the previously approved FMS request for the...
Iraq Adding Airbus H225M to Army Aviation Command Helicopter Fleet
Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract to supply Iraq with 12 H225M multi-mission helicopters for deployment to the Iraqi Army Aviation Command, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2025. Baghdad announced the procurement of the aircraft on Friday. The aircraft will join Iraq’s helicopter fleet of Airbus H125, H135 and H145. Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno...
US, UAE Trade Group Expands With Redwire Addition
The US-UAE Business Council, an organization dedicated to promoting greater trade and investment between the two nations, has added American aerospace and space contractor Redwire as its latest member. Redwire is among the businesses that have benefitted from the United Arab Emirates’ growing investment in space. The Jacksonville, Florida-based company has supplied space technologies for...
Saudi Arabian Military Industries Announces Retirement of CEO, Names Interim Chief
Walid Abukhaled has retired as CEO of the state-owned defense company Saudi Arabian Military Industries. Abukhaled took over as chief of the Saudi defense business in 2020, succeeding Andrew Schwer, a German national and former executive at Rheinmetall. Before leading SAMI, Abukhaled was CEO of the Middle East unit of Northrop Grumman. Under his leadership,...
US to Help Boost Jordan’s Disease Response Capability With Pathogen Analysis Training
The United States will help strengthen Jordan’s response capability to disease outbreaks under a joint requirements implementation plan with the Royal Medical Services of the Jordanian Armed Forces. The plan calls for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency under the Department of Defense to mobilize its Biological Threat Reduction Program in collaboration with RMS to organize training...
UK Blocks Some Arms Sales to Israel Over Human Rights Concerns in Gaza
The British government has suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel after a review determined that the military equipment covered by the permits might be used to commit international humanitarian law violations amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The suspended items, which the Israeli Defense Forces uses, include fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones and products...
Advisory Report: Iran-Based Ransomware Actors Targeting US, Foreign Organizations
A joint U.S. advisory from the FBI, the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has identified Iran-based cyber actors conducting ransomware attacks on U.S. and foreign organizations. The cybersecurity advisory warned that the cyber actors, known as Pioneer Kitten, UNC757, Parisite, Rubidium and Lemon Sandstorm, perform ransomware and...
Convergint Middle East Expansion to Support Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation Goals
Schaumburg, Illinois-based global systems integrator Convergint has entered the Saudi Arabian market as part of its expansion plans in the Middle East and Africa regions. The company said it offers security, automation and internet of things solutions that will support Saudi Arabia’s digital evolution involving the development of smart cities, cybersecurity enhancements and tech-driven economic...
Casper Klynge Joins Zscaler to Lead Government Partnerships Business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Zscaler has appointed Casper Klynge as vice president and head of government partnerships for the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. In a LinkedIn post, Zscaler said Klynge will drive public policy work and strategic relationships with governments, international and regional organizations, and senior leaders across EMEA. His responsibilities also include helping countries, organizations and...