Middle East

Iran claims capture of US Navy MK 18 Mod 2 Kingfish mine-hunting underwater drone in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that it captured a U.S. Navy Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish mine-countermeasures unmanned underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian accounts initially described the vehicle differently before identifying it as the REMUS-based Kingfish, which is designed to locate and classify underwater hazards. U.S. Central Command denied the claim and said American forces retained positive control of all operational unmanned assets. With no independently verified evidence resolving the competing statements, the reported capture should be treated as disputed rather than confirmed.

Army RecognitionOct 1

Azerbaijan Unveils BMP-1TA TURAN Upgrade With 30mm Counter-Drone Turret

Azerbaijani companies MKA and MIRAS unveiled the BMP-1TA Turan upgrade, replacing the vehicle’s 73 mm gun turret with a stabilized, remotely operated mount. The new system combines a dual-feed 30×165 mm 2A42 cannon, a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, electro-optical and thermal sights, wide elevation, and automatic target tracking. Developers say those features could support engagements against low-flying drones, particularly with suitable ammunition, but the counter-drone claim remains a proposed capability. A cooperation memorandum supports further work; broad fleet adoption has not been confirmed by Azerbaijan.

Defense WarRoomOct 1

Middle EastIndustry

Turkish firm Otokar lands $1.47B armored vehicle deal

Otokar signed a $1.472 billion export contract covering several types of wheeled armoured vehicles and integrated logistics support for an undisclosed customer. The agreement is expected to run for seven years, with vehicle deliveries planned to begin in 2027 and continue over roughly three years. Its effectiveness remains conditional on regulatory approvals, financial guarantees, and receipt of an advance payment, so the announced value should not be treated as immediately recognized revenue. Otokar did not identify the customer, quantities, vehicle models, or country of destination.

Defence BlogOct 1

U.S. ends Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq after Erbil withdrawal, with task force in Jordan continuing counter-ISIS operations in Syria

U.S. Central Command completed the withdrawal of personnel and equipment from Erbil on September 30, formally ending the Operation Inherent Resolve military mission in Iraq after 12 years. The transition shifts the relationship toward bilateral security cooperation with Baghdad while a coalition task-force headquarters in Jordan continues supporting counter-ISIS activity in Syria. The move does not mean the regional campaign has ended; it relocates coordination and narrows the Iraq-based mission as local forces assume greater responsibility for preventing an Islamic State resurgence. A residual U.S. presence may continue under separate bilateral arrangements.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 30

US lifts blanket ban on arms exports to Syria

The United States is removing Syria from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations' blanket policy of denial effective October 1, 2026. Export-license and approval requests for defense articles and services can therefore be considered individually instead of being rejected as a category, following authority granted in August. The regulatory change is not an arms sale and does not guarantee approval for any transaction; applicants must still satisfy U.S. foreign-policy, security, end-use and human-rights reviews before controlled military equipment or technical assistance can be transferred. Each proposed transfer will therefore remain subject to government review.

dailysabah.comSep 30

Middle EastIndustry

Türkiye inks over $500M in defense contracts with Azerbaijan

Turkish companies signed defense agreements with Azerbaijan worth more than $500 million at the ADEX exhibition. The package includes 14 Hürkuş-II trainer and light-attack aircraft, Baykar Mızrak loitering munitions and Antidot systems, Roketsan's Barbaros coastal-defense weapon and an Aselsan memorandum involving the ALP-100 radar. Additional industrial and academic agreements broaden the relationship beyond individual purchases, while Turkish officials said some deliveries could begin during 2026, reinforcing Azerbaijan's reliance on Türkiye for aircraft, missiles, unmanned systems and integrated sensors. Implementation schedules and payment milestones were not fully disclosed.

dailysabah.comSep 30

U.S. Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt Heads to Middle East as Navy Sustains Iran Operations

USS Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego on September 27 for an expected deployment of more than seven months, with the carrier anticipated to reinforce US naval operations in the Middle East. The ship is positioned to relieve USS George Washington and help sustain a two-carrier presence during continued operations connected to Iran, while carrying additional supplies for the extended mission. The movement signals force allocation and readiness; detailed tasking, strike plans, and rules of engagement have not been publicly released. Sustaining two carriers places additional demand on escorts, aircraft, munitions, maintenance, and personnel across the wider fleet.

Army RecognitionSep 29

British Commandos called in air strikes alongside Navy SEALs

Royal Marines from 148 Battery trained with US Navy SEALs during Exercise Resolute Strike at the Navy Dare Bombing Range in North Carolina. Over three weeks, the British personnel practiced directing F/A-18 Super Hornet strikes and supported maritime takedown scenarios, demonstrating joint terminal attack control and special-operations interoperability. The activity was a bilateral training exercise designed to sharpen procedures and readiness; it was not an account of British commandos calling strikes during live combat operations. The exercise strengthened common procedures for finding targets, clearing strikes, and coordinating aircraft with small ground and maritime teams.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukSep 29

Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements

Israeli naval officials say the war with Iran has underscored the importance of protecting trade routes, freedom of navigation, and national economic interests, encouraging a broader future role for the service. The discussion coincides with the arrival of INS Drakon, Israel's sixth submarine and third air-independent-propulsion boat, while supply-chain constraints are increasing interest in domestic production and autonomous systems. These remain force-planning ambitions and operational lessons, not approved orders for a specified number of new ships or submarines. The force will also need to balance expansion ambitions against imported-component constraints and the urgency of wartime readiness.

Shephard MediaSep 29

2 aviators eject, 4 injured during landing mishap aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Two Carrier Air Wing 3 aviators ejected during an aircraft-recovery mishap aboard USS Dwight D Eisenhower off Virginia shortly after 6:15 pm and were safely rescued. Four sailors on the carrier were injured, including one taken ashore with injuries described as non-life-threatening, while the aviators underwent evaluation aboard the ship. The aircraft was subsequently identified as an EA-18G Growler, but the Navy's investigation must determine the cause, sequence, and condition of the aircraft rather than early speculation. All affected personnel received medical attention, and officials had announced no fatalities in the immediate aftermath of the mishap.

militarytimes.comSep 29

China's KJ-500 El Alamein Debut in Egypt Marks Its First Airshow Abroad

China's KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft made its first international airshow appearance at Egypt's El Alamein Air Show, marking a significant step in Beijing's effort to market the platform to potential export customers. The KJ-500 is China's most advanced operational AEW&C platform, featuring an active electronically scanned array radar housed in a fixed triangular rotodome. Its debut abroad signals Chinese intent to compete in the Middle Eastern and African AEW market, where Egypt operates as a potential operator.

ReutersSep 28

Operation Epic Fury exposes pressure on U.S. arms supply amid $44.5 billion in Middle East deals and delayed allied deliveries

Operation Epic Fury has highlighted acute strain on U.S. defense industrial supply chains, as $44.5 billion in Middle East arms agreements compete with commitments to allied nations for delivery priority. The reporting reveals that deliveries to allied customers have been delayed as the U.S. prioritizes fulfilling large Gulf state contracts, generating friction within NATO and partner procurement pipelines. The situation exposes structural capacity constraints across the American defense industrial base at a time of simultaneous high demand from multiple theatres and customers.

Army RecognitionSep 28

Royal Saudi Navy Prepares to Deploy AKINCI UCAV Following Crew Graduation

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces have graduated 15 pilots and 15 technicians trained to operate Baykar’s AKINCI unmanned combat aircraft in Türkiye. The course supports a 2023 Saudi agreement covering AKINCI systems, training, logistics and support for both air-force and naval users, although official quantities, price and delivery timing remain undisclosed. With long endurance and a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms, the aircraft could support maritime surveillance and precision-strike missions, but Saudi Arabia has not publicly confirmed an operational deployment date or assigned mission set.

Naval NewsSep 27

U.S. F-15E Fighter Jet Takes on New Drone-Killer Role Against Iranian UAV Attacks

The U.S. Air Force has tested laser-guided 70 mm APKWS II rockets on F-15E Strike Eagles as a lower-cost counter-UAS option against relatively slow unmanned aircraft. The approach is intended to preserve more expensive AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles for higher-end threats while giving crews a deeper magazine for sustained drone-defense missions. Tests have included configurations with as many as six LAU-131 launchers carrying 42 APKWS II rockets, allowing the F-15E to retain conventional air-to-air missiles alongside the guided rockets.

Army RecognitionSep 27

USS George Washington Flies Sorties 3 Weeks After Iran's Hit Claim

The United States Navy has shown USS George Washington conducting sustained flight operations after Iran claimed that a ballistic missile had struck the carrier on September 5. United States Central Command confirmed Iranian missile attacks but said the weapons missed and caused no casualties, while the Navy did not publicly identify George Washington as a target. Images from September 11 through 14 showed F-35C and F/A-18E/F sorties continuing from the ship, providing visible evidence of operational activity but not independently resolving every detail of the Iranian claim.

defensewarroom.comSep 27

Operation Epic Fury draws at least six U.S. warships from Pacific and up to 5,000 sorties from European bases into Middle East campaign

Operation Epic Fury drew at least six U.S. warships from Pacific assignments and used European bases to support as many as 5,000 sorties into the Middle East. Forces included the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and elements of the Japan-based Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, while European facilities provided airspace access, maintenance, weapons storage, fuel and strategic lift. The campaign involved more than 50,000 U.S. personnel and sharply increased logistics demand, illustrating how a major regional operation can consume naval, air-defense and sustainment resources allocated to other theaters.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 27

TKMS and EDGE Explore Collaboration on Underwater Protection and Surveillance Capability

TKMS and the United Arab Emirates' EDGE Group have signed a memorandum to explore joint underwater surveillance and protection capabilities. The companies intend to assess an integrated, multi-system architecture that could combine sensors and other technologies to build a comprehensive underwater operating picture. Signed during a UAE state visit to Germany, the arrangement creates a framework for technical discussions and potential joint development. It does not announce a procurement programme, customer order, contract value or delivery schedule, so any resulting system remains subject to further evaluation and subsequent agreements between the partners.

Naval NewsSep 26

France to Send Soldiers to Saudi Arabia to Help Secure Energy Sites

France will deploy soldiers, radars, and air-defense equipment to help protect Saudi Arabia's critical energy infrastructure at Yanbu on the Red Sea under an agreement announced by President Emmanuel Macron. Macron said the French contingent is intended to defend the site rather than enter the regional conflict, while leaving open the possibility of further assistance. The deployment follows repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, including a Saudi-led coalition report that six ballistic missiles aimed at Yanbu and Taif had recently been intercepted by regional defenses.

The New York TimesSep 25

Greek-operated air defence system shoots down ballistic missile, drone over Saudi

A Greek-operated air defence system has successfully intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone over Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters, providing rare operational confirmation of the system's multi-threat engagement capability in a live combat environment. The engagement demonstrates the effectiveness of the deployed battery against two distinct threat categories simultaneously. The event carries significant implications for allied air defence cooperation and for the evaluation of European-operated air defence systems in high-threat theatres.

ReutersSep 24

Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan army gets Turkish kamikaze drones

Azerbaijan's armed forces in the Nakhchivan exclave have received Turkish loitering munitions, according to Defence Blog, expanding Baku's precision strike capability in a geographically isolated military district bordered by Armenia, Iran and Turkey. The delivery of kamikaze drones to Nakhchivan represents a targeted capability upgrade to a military formation that would operate in a strategically sensitive environment in any future conflict. The transfer underlines the continued deepening of Turkish-Azerbaijani defence cooperation and Turkey's role as a primary supplier of unmanned strike systems to allied nations.

Army TechnologySep 24

Türkiye's Roketsan says its Karaok system hit aerial target for 1st time

Roketsan reported that its KARAOK short-range anti-tank guided missile struck an aerial target for the first time, demonstrating a potential secondary role beyond its original anti-armor mission. KARAOK is a shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget weapon designed to attack armored vehicles, so the test indicates that its existing seeker and launcher can engage at least some airborne targets. The company did not disclose the target type, engagement range, test geometry or probability of kill, leaving the operational limits of this application unconfirmed.

dailysabah.comSep 23

UK Provides RAF Voyager Air-to-Air Refuelling Support for Saudi Defenses Against Houthi Attacks

The United Kingdom deployed an RAF Voyager tanker from RAF Akrotiri to provide air-to-air refueling for Saudi aircraft conducting defensive patrols against Houthi drones and missiles. Voyager support can extend the endurance and on-station time of Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoons, improving their ability to maintain coverage during prolonged or repeated attack warnings. The mission was described as a limited defensive contribution to Saudi air defense rather than British participation in strikes, using an existing tanker asset to support a regional partner's routine interception operations.

Army RecognitionSep 23

Debrief: U.S. Air Force Hopes For Deployment 'Reset' Following Iran Conflict

US Air Force leaders are seeking a deployment reset after the conflict with Iran placed demands on the force beyond its sustainable generation model. Chief of Staff General Kenneth Wilsbach said some units remained deployed for more than six months and returned with less than 18 months of recovery time, disrupting the service’s Air Expeditionary Wing 2.0 cycle. The Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35A deployment exceeded nine months, illustrating the strain. The service intends to restore predictable rotations, readiness and dwell periods, although continued operations could delay a full return to the planned force-generation schedule.

aviationweek.comSep 23

Baykar adds UAV 300 supersonic missile to AKINCI arsenal after direct hit on target more than 250 kilometres away

Baykar said its AKINCI UCAV successfully fired a UAV-300 supersonic missile at a target more than 250 kilometres away. The weapon struck the designated target during the live-fire test, demonstrating its integration with the unmanned aircraft at extended range. The addition expands the range of guided weapons available to AKINCI for long-distance strike missions. Baykar did not disclose detailed seeker performance or an operational fielding schedule.

ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy Wreckage A Reminder Of Ongoing Spying On Iran's Air Defenses

Remnants photographed in Iran have been identified as components of a Raytheon ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy. The wreckage was reportedly recovered after an Iranian interception, but its exact location, date and circumstances have not been independently confirmed. MALD is designed to imitate aircraft signatures and stimulate hostile air-defence sensors, making it useful for reconnaissance and suppression missions. The available evidence does not establish who launched this vehicle or the precise purpose of the flight.

U.S. Marines Deploy L-MADIS Counter-Drone System in Middle East to Shield Dispersed Forces From Drones

The U.S. Marines deployed the L-MADIS counter-drone system in the Middle East to shield dispersed forces. The vehicle-mounted system detects and defeats hostile UAS. It supports distributed operations protection. The deployment reflects rising drone threats in the region.

Defence BlogSep 22

BAYRAKTAR TB3 UCAV SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES SONOBUOYS DURING SEAWOLF EXERCISE

The Bayraktar TB3 UCAV successfully launched sonobuoys during the SEAWOLF exercise. The capability extends anti-submarine warfare to unmanned platforms. It demonstrates drone-based maritime patrol tasks. The test broadens the TB3's mission set.

CENTCOM has become a battle lab for unmanned systems

CENTCOM has become a battle lab for unmanned systems in the Middle East. Operations there drive rapid iteration of drones and counter-UAS. The region tests new autonomy and integration concepts. Lessons feed broader force modernization.

Defence BlogSep 22

Three of four U.S. F-15E fighters lost during Operation Epic Fury were destroyed by friendly fire in Iran campaign, data show

Data reviewed after Operation Epic Fury indicate that three of the four U.S. Air Force F-15E fighters lost during the Iran campaign were destroyed by friendly fire. The losses occurred during high-intensity operations involving extensive air and missile activity. The figures distinguish the friendly-fire losses from the fourth aircraft loss but do not by themselves identify the specific technical or procedural causes. No definitive finding on identification-friend-or-foe system performance was presented.

US Navy destroyers tested in Middle East as demands mount

U.S. Navy destroyers deployed to the Middle East are facing sustained operational and maintenance demands as regional missions continue. Their crews have been tasked with repeated air- and missile-defence operations while keeping the ships available for further missions. The deployment highlights the pressure that prolonged high-tempo operations place on maintenance schedules and personnel. The article does not provide evidence quantifying any resulting shortage in the Navy’s missile inventories.

Shephard MediaSep 22

Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options

Otokar completed firing trials of its Tulpar Medium Tank fitted with Leonardo’s Hitfact Mk II 120 mm turret. The tests followed integration work covering the mechanical, electrical, electronic and software interfaces between the platform and turret. The configuration is intended to offer main-battle-tank-class firepower on a lighter tracked vehicle, with corresponding trade-offs in protection. The trial involved the 120 mm configuration rather than a combined 105/120 mm installation.

JanesSep 22

Middle EastCyber

U.S. Deploys First National Guard Mobile Brigade With Drone and Electronic Warfare Capabilities to Middle East

The U.S. deployed its first National Guard mobile brigade with drone and electronic warfare capabilities to the Middle East. The unit integrates UAS and EW effects. It supports distributed force protection. The deployment tests new formation concepts.

Shephard MediaSep 22

Hurkus-II Secures Turkish Military Certification

Turkish Aerospace's Hurkus-II has secured Turkish military certification, clearing it for operational service. The turboprop trainer supports basic and advanced pilot training pipelines. Certification advances Turkey's indigenous aircraft development ambitions. The platform may attract export interest in the trainer segment.

aviationweek.comSep 21

U.S. Marines field counter-drone vehicles in Middle East

U.S. Marines have fielded counter-drone vehicles in the Middle East. The mobile systems provide detection and defeat of hostile UAS threats. Deployment responds to persistent drone attacks in the region. The capability enhances force protection for deployed units.

Defence BlogSep 21

Hurkus-II Secures Turkish Military Certification

Turkish Aerospace’s Hürkuş-II turboprop trainer received its Turkish military type certificate ahead of entry into air force service. Certification confirms that the aircraft meets the applicable military airworthiness requirements for its intended training role. The milestone supports the programme’s transition from development and testing toward operational use. The article does not attribute a light-attack mission to the certified Hürkuş-II configuration.

ukdefencejournal.org.ukSep 21

Operation Epic Fury: U.S. and partners intercepted more than 7,500 Iranian attack drones and ballistic missiles across the Middle East

US officials said American and partner forces intercepted more than 6,000 Iranian one-way attack drones and over 1,500 ballistic missiles during Operation Epic Fury. The defensive effort combined Patriot and THAAD batteries with Israeli Arrow, David's Sling and Iron Dome systems across the region. More than 50,000 US personnel supported the operation, which began on February 28 and required sustained coordination among sensors, command networks and multiple interceptor families. The reported totals do not specify the number of interceptors expended or assign each engagement to a particular system, limiting conclusions about efficiency and magazine depth.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 20