Despite massive spending on arms, Saudis seen as militarily weak
LONDON — Saudi Arabia continues to be saddled with a weak military, a report said. Global Fire Power ranked Saudi Arabia 27th out of 69 countries surveyed for military (more…)
Bahrain, Japan agree to upgrade military, security and strategic ties
ABU DHABI — Bahrain and Japan have agreed to improve defense cooperation. Officials said the two Asian states agreed to implement previous accords to bolster defense and military ties. (more…)
Multi-year contract points to expanded U.S. presence in Qatar
WASHINGTON — The United States has been enhancing its main military base in Qatar. The U.S. Air Force has overseen a project to improve services at Al Udeid Air (more…)
Report: Egypt’s F-16s have inferior munitions compared to Israel’s
WASHINGTON — The United States has been supplying Egypt with F-16 multi-role fighters inferior to those of Israel. An authoritative industry newsletter reported that Egypt would receive 20 F-16 (more…)
U.S. testing upgraded air defense system for Middle East militaries
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has been testing an improved variant of an air defense system acquired by Middle East militaries to intercept short-range missiles and rockets. The Army (more…)
U.S. firm hit with $25 million penalty for arms export violations
WASHINGTON — A U.S. company has reached a $25 million settlement amid charges that it illegally sold military equipment to the Middle East. A California company, Meggitt-USA, has reached (more…)
Japan beefs up amphibious capability with an eye to the U.S. Marines
With China escalating its military presence in and near the Senkaku islands waters, Japan is planning to beef up its defensive amphibious capability. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet has (more…)
Vietnam orders another batch of Russian fighter jets to counter China
The Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh visited Moscow in mid-August and inked a major arms deal with the Russians for the purchase of another 12 units of (more…)
U.S. IDs Hizbullah agents directing Iran’s wars in Yemen, Syria
WASHINGTON — The United States has identified Hizbullah’s leading foreign operatives. The Treasury Department has identified and sanctioned four Lebanese nationals said to lead Hizbullah operations throughout the Middle (more…)