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UAE state-owned defence group Edge is to set up a manufacturing and training facility in conjunction with Brazilian firm Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, which it bought a majority stake in earlier in the year.
In a series of royal orders issued on 29 August, the Saudi monarch replaced the Joint Forces commander and the chiefs of staff of the navy and land forces.
A year after the risk of a catastrophic accident at the abandoned oil storage vessel FSO Safer was finally resolved – after long periods during which Houthi rebels repeatedly blocked an international rescue mission – the Sanaa-based group’s actions are once again creating the risk of an environmental disaster is the waters around Yemen.
The state-owned defence conglomerate is due to complete the development of the National Anti-Ship Missile (Mansup) by the end of 2025 and is also working on an extended-range version.
Saudi Arabian Military Industries chief executive Walid Abukhaled resigned from his position in late August, after four years at the helm. The development was announced on the same day that King Salman ordered a significant reshuffle of senior military officers.
Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani travelled to Ankara in early August for talks on defence co-operation with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The previous month, Türkiye had sent additional naval vessels and fighter jets to the Gulf country in what may be a sign of nervousness in Doha about what a second Trump presidential term might mean for its security.
Tehran has been touting its domestically-produced air defence systems, but has also reportedly been seeking more advanced equipment from Russia, amid fears of further confrontations with Israel
Following a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv and an Israeli strike on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, as well as renewed fighting on a number of frontlines in Yemen’s own war, there are concerns that the situation in the country is once again at risk of spiralling out of control.
Established in 1971, the federation of seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al-Quwain – is economically liberal and progressive, but remains politically conservative.
Iraq has a limited military manufacturing base, but has been keen to do more, with medium ammunition and electric vehicle production plants also now under development.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan will chair the new Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, which will act as a regulator and aim to attract investment into a sector which encompasses everything from self-driving cars to smart oil well technology and military weapons.
Bahraini national security advisor gave fulsome backing to the four-year-old Abraham Accords, saying “We would encourage others to join”, while speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in the United States.
Air Vice Marshal Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was appointed deputy chief of staff of the Kuwait Army, via an emiri order.
Five members of the public and a policeman were killed when three Omani brothers fired on worshippers in the Ali Bin Abi Talib mosque in Muscat in mid-July; the attack was later claimed by Islamic State.
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed has become only the second defence minister in the history of the country, taking over from his father, Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid who had held the post since the UAE was founded in 1971. It comes as part of a wider federal government reshuffle which included some significant changes for the education sector.
