Spotlight | France, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
London overtakes Paris in race to equip Riyadh with fighter jets

France
Dassault recruits French army heavyweight

The French Armed Forces deputy chief of operations will in the coming weeks join the aerospace group, which is also making an important appointment in the United Arab Emirates.

France, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Political turmoil in France puts brakes on Rafale prospecting in the Gulf

After disappointment during Emmanuel Macron's visit to Riyadh, Dassault had hoped to sell a new batch of Rafales in Abu Dhabi. But given the political crisis in France, everyone involved would rather put things on hold for now.

France, Indonesia
French contract success subsides as Indonesia diversifies defence options

Relations between Paris and Jakarta were strong when Prabowo Subianto was minister of defence, but they have thinned since he became president. French defence players are beginning to lose out on contracts.

France, Serbia
Dassault sued in UK by Russian client in Serbia amid Rafale negotiations with Belgrade

The dispute between a Serbian customer with links to Russia and the French aerospace giant is taking place just as Dassault is busy negotiating the sale of its Rafale jets with the Serbian authorities. The client is demanding compensation for a Falcon leasing contract.

Saudi Arabia, United States
US arms groups focus on Riyadh operations ahead of imminent US-Saudi security pact

With the Biden administration finalising a security and civil nuclear assistance pact with Riyadh, and a possible side-deal to lift its ban on offensive weapons, the US arms industry is readying itself for a new wave of weapons contracts, albeit not necessarily for US assembly lines

France, Saudi Arabia
Paris appoints new ambassador to revive stalled relations

Patrick Maisonnave is to take up his post in Riyadh in September, with bilateral relations struggling and Paris increasingly interested in being part of the new Saudi-Israeli connection that has emerged from the war with Hamas.

China, Middle East, Pakistan
Beijing prospects Gulf states via Pakistani defence firms

Chinese state-owned companies are involved in a number of military production projects with Pakistan's defence industry and are taking advantage of this to boost their export offer.

Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
Might Muscat buy Riyadh's used Typhoons?

As manufacturers jostle to supply fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Oman is on the lookout for second-hand war planes.

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
Typhoons prepare Riyadh landing for World Defense Show

Defence giant BAE Systems is at last preparing to sign its major Typhoon supply contract with Saudi Arabia at the opening of the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh.

France, Saudi Arabia
France hopes its backing for Saudi Expo 2030 bid brings in big deals

After having supported Saudi Arabia's winning bid to host the next World Expo in 2030, France hopes French businesses will gain from the event. It would especially like to see the site construction be a French affair.

United Kingdom
FTI Consulting's stratcom team keeps an eye on beleaguered Boeing door panel supplier

FTI's strategic communications team in London generally promotes its clients' projects in the British space and defence industries. Among these clients is Spirit Aerosystems, which is currently under the spotlight in the United States.

France, Saudi Arabia
French arms export body ODAS still sidelined in Saudi Arabia despite reshuffle

ODAS wasn't invited to take part in the recent talks between Dassault and Riyadh, despite having recently appointed a new board administrator with experience of managing major contracts in the region, including a Rafale megadeal.

Spotlight | France, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
Riyadh to ask for Rafale quote as Typhoon order remains in limbo

After hesitating for several months, Riyadh is set to start making its first moves towards a possible purchase of Rafale aircraft. That would bring the French fighter into direct competition with BAE Systems' Typhoon, which was Saudi Arabia's first choice

Saudi Arabia
GCAP, F-35: France hesitates over Rafale sales pitch as ambitious Riyadh reassesses its fighter options

Will they, won't they? In the eyes of many, Berlin's decision to block the sale of Typhoon fighters to Saudi Arabia has opened up an opportunity for France to pitch Dassault's new generation Rafale. The Saudis are not opposed, but they have several other bids under consideration.

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia, United States
Khaled Al Biyari, the man taking Mohammed bin Salman's F-35 ambitions to Washington

As well as overseeing the creation of a mission-critical communications network for Saudi Arabia's security services, Khaled Al Biyari was recently tasked by the crown prince with travelling to Washington to discuss the possibility of buying US combat aircraft.

The Intelligence Gazette
Khaldoon in Paris, US intelligence budget and Russian housing for Ukrainian veterans

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

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