WEEKLY INTELLIGENCE REPORTS
Our Weekly Intelligence Report (WIR) is a confidential bulletin that offers a comprehensive picture of the latest developments in the geopolitical, defense & security, and energy sectors in the Gulf and MENA regions. WIRs are published every Friday, with each issue compiling a number of fully, partially, or briefly reproduced Daily Intelligence Reports (DIRs).
Friday, June 02, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi King Salman’s health improving?Saudi Arabia-UAE easing differences on YemenBahrain: Crown Prince Salman’s plan to procure C-UASIraq: PM Al-Sudani expects Rafale deal soon?Saudi Arabia-Ballistic Missiles: Talks with Roketsan over Tayfun TOTUAE, Israel, and talks over Spyder and Iron Beam systemsSaudi Arabia, South Korea agree on joint military-industrial prioritiesOman: Sayyid Shihab’s plan to procure C-UASQatar-Cybersecurity: Cooperation with Japan and U.S. competitionUAE: Vice President Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
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Friday, May 26, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi CP Mohammad’s views on U.S. boosting military presence in the GulfOman: Sultan Haitham and President El-Sisi on defense relations and IranEgypt, China, on the J-10C fighterSaudi SAMI, Thales, and Ground Master 60 radar TOTQatar, TUBITAK to establish a military-grade chip production facilityUAE: EDGE Group, Leonardo, and CMS JV updateSaudi-Iranian meeting on the nuclear file?Saudi Arabia, Fincantieri, in talks on a destroyerQatar, Raytheon, and a battle management centerUAE: View of the Beijing Agreement
Friday, May 19, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi Arabia: Blinken’s visit agendaUAE, Saudi Arabia, and cooperation on SudanEgypt, Northrop Grumman, and talks over cruiser sensorsSaudi SAMI, Norinco, and arms packageQatar to procure logistics vesselsUAE EDGE, Embraer, and joint AEW aircraft developmentSaudi-U.S. security cooperation continues despite ongoing differencesQatar: U.S. companies to get the lion’s share of strategic defense projects?UAE, China, and submarines building MoUsUAE, France, on strategic aerospace industriesSaudi Prince Khaled’s top assistants at the Defense MinistrySaudi-Iranian Relations under the Beijing Agreement: Progress and Challenges
Friday, May 12, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi Arabia: Washington to lift offensive arms ban?Saudi CP Mohammad and Sheikh Tahnoon discuss security arrangements in YemenEgypt, Naval Group, and Barracuda submarine deal updateIAMD exercise markets laser weapons to Saudi Arabia and UAESaudi Arabia: France to offer naval cooperation projectsOman to expand contacts with shipbuildersSaudi military industry: Difficulties and challengesSaudi PDTC, Rolls Royce, and talks over aerial propulsion systemsQatar: PM Sheikh Mohammad on defense cooperation with SingaporeUAE: EDGE’s strategy to expand sales in AfricaQatar: Chairman of the Board of Barzan Holdings, Dr. Khaled Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah
Friday, May 05, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi-U.S. tensions rising amid Ratney’s presentation of credentials?UAE: CP Khaled and defense relations with the U.S.Egypt, Lockheed Martin, and talks over THAAD updateSaudi GAMI to announce an aerial surveillance partnership project?Qatar: Barzan Holdings, South Korea, and air defense systems TOTUAE: UAS and C-UAS tender updateSaudi CP Mohammad reviewing defense relations with foreign countriesSaudi Scopa Industries, China, and talks over advanced satellitesUAE, France, in talks over SHORAD systemsUAE: Search for new air defenses continues
Friday, April 28, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi CP Mohammad-Putin discuss cooperation on SyriaOman: Abdollahian discusses Hormuz Strait securityEgypt, Turkiye, and Bayraktar Akinci dronesSaudi Arabia prioritizing military-industrial cooperation with Brazil?Qatar: Barzan Holdings, LIG Nex1, and EW systems TOTUAE, Israel, and Barak deal updateSaudi-EU defense relations set to expand after the Yemen War ends?Qatar: PM Mohammad’s plan to secure oil supplies and shipping lanesUAE: Al-Mulla on EDGE-Turkiye competition in AfricaKuwait: Ground-based radar procurement plansUAE's EPI: Key contributor to the defense, aerospace, and oil & gas industries
Friday, April 21, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi Arabia to make fundamental changes in the Armed ForcesKuwait: Struggle continues over succession?Egypt, Lockheed Martin, and F-16 upgrades updateSaudi MIC, Nexter, and military robotics TOTQatar, U.S., and aerospace cooperation projectUAE: EDGE to deepen cooperation with FincantieriSaudi Arabia: On McGurk’s visit and “constructive” meetingsU.S. concerns over Saudi King Salman’s healthUAE: President Sheikh Mohammad addressing SHORAD gapsSaudi Major General Pilot Abdullah Al-Rabiah, CEO of the Saudi British Defense Cooperation Programme (SBDC)
Friday, April 14, 2023
In this issue:
Qatar: PM Mohammad’s growing presence in the defense decision-makingUAE: Sheikh Tahnoon likely to give up defense filesEgypt, Naval Group, and Scorpene deal updateSaudi Arabia to acquire shares in Benha Electronics?UAE-China talks on hypersonic systems updateUAE: EDGE Group, and the Jeniah UCAV developmentSaudi CP Mohammad’s stance on Trump’s legal issuesSaudi-Houthi naval security meetings to discuss Omani proposalUAE: Lt-General Al-Mazrouei on Raytheon’s hypersonic air-launched cruise missileSaudi Arabia: Homegrown UAV programs (Part 2)
Friday, April 07, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi Arabia: Transition of power updateOman: On power sharing and successionEgypt, Qatar, and talks on cooperation and investment in Alexandria ShipyardSaudi GAMI, Boston Dynamics, and robotics and autonomous systemsQatar and DSCA defense partnership?UAE: EDGE Group-Ares Shipyard working on USVsSaudi CP Mohammad - El-Sisi meeting: Files discussed and key outcomesQatar: Expanded powers for Interior Minister Sheikh KhalifaUAE: President Sheikh Mohammad and new structure for the ruling establishmentSaudi Arabia: Homegrown UAV programs (Part 1)
Friday, March 31, 2023
In this issue:
Saudi CP Mohammad reducing the powers of the Royal Court?UAE Land Forces: Enhancing capabilities in cooperation with FranceEgypt, KAI, and talks on CAS-500 satelliteSaudi Arabia, SAC, and talks on KJ-200 AEW&C programOman Navy approves a project to procure USVsQatar: Barzan Holdings’ UAV project in cooperation with the U.S.Egypt, Saab, and talks on Giraffe AMB radarSaudi Arabia, China, and border security project with YemenSaudi Arabia: Raisi to attend the upcoming Arab summit?UAE: Lt-General Al-Mazrouei and Lockheed MartinSheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani, the new Qatari Minister of Interior