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Three senior figures in the Saudi defence industry were ousted on 17 August. MbS's anger over this issue had been simmering for months.
Three senior figures in the Saudi defence industry were ousted on 17 August. MbS's anger over this issue had been simmering for months. © Imago/APAimages via Reuters Connect

Saudi Arabia
Purge of key Saudi defence figures keeps industry on its toes

With purchases stalling and declining finances, against the backdrop of an anti-corruption campaign, the sudden dismissal of three senior Saudi defence industry figures is reshuffling the cards regarding negotiations for the sector's major contracts.
LogoSubscribers only 25.08.2025
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud beside Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, during the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, 26 July 2025.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud beside Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, during the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, 26 July 2025. © Luo Chen/Xinhua News Agency/Newscom/MaxPPP

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia
Video-game-playing prince keeps one hand in family business

In Saudi Arabia, even the video games sector is part of the royal family's business network. To develop the national gaming industry, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has chosen a gamer prince, one who also retains a foothold in his family's businesses.
LogoSubscribers only 30.07.2025
Left: an Akinci UAV on display with an Al Tariq missile. Right: a TB2 UAV on display with a Desert Sting missile. Photos taken at the International Defence Industry Fair 2025, Istanbul, Turkey, 24 July 2025.
Left: an Akinci UAV on display with an Al Tariq missile. Right: a TB2 UAV on display with a Desert Sting missile. Photos taken at the International Defence Industry Fair 2025, Istanbul, Turkey, 24 July 2025. © Intelligence Online

Turkey, UAE
Integration of Emirati missiles on Turkish drones not quite what it seems

Drone manufacturer Baykar exhibited several missiles from Abu Dhabi's defence conglomerate at the Turkish defence exhibition in Istanbul last week. The showcase was, however, more of a public relations exercise than a sign of a real integration plan.
LogoSubscribers only 30.07.2025
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks during a meeting to launch Public Investment Fund strategy 2021-2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 24 January 2021
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks during a meeting to launch Public Investment Fund strategy 2021-2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 24 January 2021 © Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters

Spotlight | Saudi Arabia
PwC struggles in Saudi defence after blacklisting by PIF wealth fund

The Saudi defence business of PwC, which has been excluded from consulting contracts with the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund till next February, has come to a standstill. Investigations are ongoing into at least one of the British firm's contracts with the fund. PwC says there is no ban.
LogoSubscribers only 23.07.2025
French Joint Intelligence Training Centre located at Air Base 110 in Creil, in the Paris region.
French Joint Intelligence Training Centre located at Air Base 110 in Creil, in the Paris region. © Laurent Grandguillot/Rea

France, Tunisia
French military intelligence Arabic teacher dismissed after 26 years

An Arabic language teacher at the French Joint Intelligence Training Centre was shown the door following an investigation. Intelligence reports accused him of having links with Tunisian and Algerian intelligence. He is contesting the decision in court.
LogoSubscribers only Running story - Intel memos and grey zones 23.07.2025

Running story | China, Europe, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, United States
The geopolitical power plays in Earth observation

As global strategic rivalries return to the fore - in Ukraine, Gaza, the Taiwan Straight and in Africa, where Russia is a force to be reckoned with - accumulating crises are influencing the spy-satellite power players: who observes what, who sets up where, who sows alliances with whom and, increasingly, who releases what data publicly.

LogoSubscribers only Surveillance & Interception 29.07.2025

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