• Air Warfare

  Akinci: How Baykar turned the UAV into an African and Middle Eastern export success

  7th October 2026

  From billion-dollar industrial partnerships in the Middle East to rapid military off-the-shelf deliveries in Africa, Baykar has tailored the Akinci to the needs of very different customers. Defence Insight data shows how flexibility, price and Turkish supply-chain independence have helped drive exports.

• Land Warfare

  Why Middle Eastern markets demand bespoke AFV solutions

  6th March 2026

  In this expert analysis, Christopher Foss looks at how armoured vehicle suppliers to the Middle East are increasingly tailoring platforms for the region’s specific operational requirements.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2023: Nexter extends UAE partnership to tank fleet upgrade

  23rd February 2023

  The French company has signed an agreement with International Golden Group to collaborate on modernisation of the UAE Army's Leclerc tank fleet.

• Defence Notes

  Avon looks to further Middle East presence at IDEX

  25th February 2023

  Avon’s plans for the region include localising production and engaging in the transfer of technologies.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2023: Arquus pitches upgraded VBL vehicle at export market

  20th February 2023

  Alongside a VBL upgrade package similar to that carried out for the French Army, Arquus is also displaying an enhanced new-production variant of the 4x4 armoured vehicle.

• Defence Notes

  Middle East and Europe stay on radar for Brazilian defence industry

  4th July 2022

  The Brazilian government continues to seek ways of encouraging national defence industry exports to the potentially lucrative Middle Eastern and Eastern European markets.

• Defence Notes

  Dubai Airshow 2021: MoU deepens Brazilian defence ties with UAE

  18th November 2021

  The UAE is among the top five importers of Brazilian defence products over recent years — and a new MoU seeks to strengthen this relationship.

• Military Logistics

  IDEX 2021: Excavator manufacturer eyes Middle Eastern opportunities

  22nd February 2021

  CSM Industry appears at IDEX alongside International Golden Group.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  IDEX 2017: UAE receives Predator UAVs

  14th February 2017

  The United Arab Emirates has accepted delivery of all aircraft for its initial Predator UAV system, Shephard has learnt.Designated the RQ-1E in UAE service, the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  GA unveils full-scale Predator XP at IDEX

  17th February 2013

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA ASI) is continuing its push in to the Middle East at IDEX 2013 exhibiting a full-scale mock-up of its …

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems South Africa, International Golden Group team for Middle East market

  21st September 2012

  BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa has announced that it has signed a teaming agreement with International Golden Group (IGG) in the United Arab Emirates …

• Land Warfare

  AAD 2012: BAE launches updated RG35 6X6

  21st September 2012

  BAE Land Systems South Africa has launched an updated version of its 6X6 RG35 multi-purpose blast protected fighting vehicle. On exhibit at the Africa Aerospace …

• Land Warfare

  Azerbaijan MOD expands joint armoured vehicle production

  16th May 2011

  The Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence Industries (MDI) has extended the Joint Production Agreement with Paramount Group, Africa's largest privately owned defence company, to produce 60 …

• Land Warfare

  LAAD 2011: Paramount sees potential in regional market

  13th April 2011

  As part of its aggressive pursuit of the armoured vehicle market relative newcomer Paramount Group announced at LAAD that two of its vehicles would be …

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2011: Paramount teams with IGG for Middle East drive

  21st February 2011

  South African company Paramount Group has entered into an agreement with the United Arab Emirates' International Golden Group (IGG) as it seeks to export its …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Main battle tanks

  Leclerc XLR [UAE]

  Background Having retired most of its fleet of AMX-30s in 2021, the UAE relies on its ageing Leclerc MBT fleet to equip its armoured units. Delivered ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Akinci [UAE]

  Background 120 Baykar UAVs In September 2022, the Middle East Eye (MEE) reported that the UAE had been engaged in lengthy discussions since March 2022 ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [UAE]

  Background Rumoured earlier purchase In December 2021, Russian media reported that the UAE ordered eight Bayraktar TB2s from Baykar, claiming the deal was signed in late November ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled mortars

  120mm SRAMS

  ST Kinetics began development of the 120mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS) as a private venture in 1999 and a prototype was first shown ...

• Main battle tanks

  Leclerc

  The 120mm-armed Leclerc MBT was developed in the 1980s to meet a French Army requirement with the first of 406 production tanks delivered in 1992 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  RG-31 Nyala

  The RG-31 mine-protected APC is a 4x4 platform with a V-shaped, monocoque welded steel hull that protects the crew against antitank mine denotations and armour-piercing ...