Spotlight | Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE
A new chapter in the space race between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi: launch stations

UAE
French space industry back prospecting in UAE

After a first visit in May, a delegation from the French business lobby Medef's NewSpace Task Force will travel to the UAE on 19 November. Heavyweights Thales and Airbus Group as well as new players such as Loft Orbital, Exotrail and Aldoria are expected on the trip.

Oman
Chinese groups' partner in Oman prospects in Paris for geospatial intelligence and drones

An Omani businessman who is already a Thales agent and has strong connections in Muscat is a partner in the major Gulf economic forum organised by France and held in Paris on 17 June. With numerous clients in the sultanate's armed forces and police, his company is also opening Oman's doors to Chinese groups.

Spotlight | China, UAE, United States
Washington unmoved by calls to reduce space-tech sharing with Abu Dhabi despite growing China ties

A string of collaborations have been announced between Emirati space bodies and China's National Space Administration in recent years, opening what some experts say is a backdoor to unpoliced technology transfer. But US officials are said to be comfortable with the ties.

Oman, United States
Oman seeks US talent to boost cyber defence

A crossroads of Gulf interest and once in the sphere of British influence, Oman is now looking to the US for its cyber defence needs, with several Pentagon providers in the running for a new contract.

Oman, United Kingdom, United States
Oman's Etlaq space port acquires US rocket partner in bid to gain US support

After initially leaning on UK allies to launch its space sector, Oman's fledgling Duqm-based space port has linked up with a California rocket group in a bid to pass US space-sector controls and access international suppliers.

UAE
Abu Dhabi launches competition for new spy satellites

A decade on from its major Falcon Eye contract, the UAE is starting a confidential invitation to tender to acquire five new intelligence imagery satellites. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are in turn preparing to launch their own.

United States
Maxar takes a hit with loss of its flagship spy satellite

The global leader in commercial space observation had hoped that the successful launch on 2 May of its first two WorldView Legion satellites would mark the end of four years of struggles. But Maxar is once again experiencing setbacks: its WorldView-3 satellite has been out of action for the past 10 days.

Spotlight | China, France, Niger, United States
Niger's uranium mines prompt spy satellite frenzy

As Niger comes under Russian influence, Washington and Paris are keeping a close eye on the country's uranium deposits. More discreetly, Beijing is also getting in on the same act.

Saudi Arabia
Boston Consulting Group's space sector work at centre of Saudi government turf war

The US consulting group has worked across numerous government departments in Riyadh, but its space industry team now finds itself torn by a government dispute over spheres of control.

Oman, United Kingdom
Muscat favouring UK space-tech providers after energetic lobbying by British embassy

As space sector spending accelerates in the Gulf, Oman has marked itself out by relying on old diplomatic ties to develop its rocket and satellite projects, in sharp contrast to the approach taken by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

China, Russia, United States
Washington, Beijing and Moscow square off in space after spy satellite launches

The race for space-based intelligence has prompted an unprecedented wave of spy satellite launches. Washington and its Indo-Pacific allies are picking up the pace in the face of China's push, while Russia is completing its transition to a war economy.

The Tech Telegraph
GEOINT transfer season, Yahal Zilka invested in Toka, John Finbarr Fleming at Paragon

From SIGINT to GEOINT and OSINT and a dose of cyber, each week we report on events both big and small that matter in the community of technical intelligence providers.

WashingtonGlobal GEOINT musical chairs

Tel AvivYahal Zilka invests in Toka

WashingtonEx-CIA officer John Finbarr Fleming joins Paragon's US branch

United States
Pentagon brings its geospatial intelligence operators back in line

The leading Earth observation company Maxar Intelligence, whose satellite launches have been repeatedly delayed, has tightened its focus to keep in line with the Pentagon. The company's shift mirrors changes in the US Defense Department's entire strategy, which is driving consolidation in the sector.

United Kingdom
Geopolitics weigh on UK space observation ambitions

Despite a clear intention to return to large-scale space projects, the UK has struggled to make real gains in the area. That is in no small part due to the country hesitating between its geopolitical options of either a partnership with Europe or teaming up with the US.