Lockheed Martin

Israel, UAE
Ahmed Al Shafar, the strongman of Dubai's defence dealings with Israel

At the heart of the United Arab Emirates' peace and defence deal with Israel is Dubai's Al Shafar family, a partner of several Israeli defence groups. As long-standing allies of the emirate's ruling Al Maktoum family, this clan finds itself at the root of a gentleman's agreement between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Saudi Arabia
Zamil clan increasingly a Saudi defence ally, from telecoms to high-tech munitions

The prominent Saudi family, long popular as a key partner for foreign businesses in Saudi Arabia, is expanding its presence in the defence industry. One of the clan's companies, Wahaj, has been forming new partnerships both in and outside the country.

UAE
UAE's Edge Group and G42 get into natural language processing

Natural language processing, popularised by ChatGPT, is of particular interest to the UAE's security apparatus conglomerates for their big data and open source intelligence (OSINT) programmes. The technology also promises to offer new firms in the sector a means to conduct low-cost influence operations.

The Tech Telegraph
Interrupt Labs in the US and Australia, Luxembourg police biometrics, Infinity Technology for Missile Defense Agency's CTI

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.

LondonUK vulnerability researcher Interrupt Labs looks for talent in US and Australia

LuxembourgPolice fork out on Sopra Steria biometrics

WashingtonInfinity Technology in charge of MDA threat intelligence

United Kingdom
Airbus and OneWeb eye House of Lords influence thanks to the new Tory whip

With the UK forging ahead with space and defence programmes, Airbus Group's Westminster influence has received a boost from former Conservative MP Graham Evans's recent House of Lords appointment.

The Tech Telegraph
EU's hybrid warfare centre, Campus Cyber, Social Links in Latin America, BAE Systems in Qatar

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.

BrusselsEU picks Leonardo and Indra to develop European cyber situational awareness centre.

ParisBig data analytics specialist Temno further opens France's Campus Cyber to intelligence.

New York/MexicoOSINT specialist Social Links wants a share of Latin American market.

DohaBAE Systems nudges way into US business networks in Qatar.

France, Japan
Dassault mired in Japanese surveillance plane conflict

Japan is preparing its rearmament and starting to prospect for materiel to defend itself from China but Dassault's chances of landing new contracts are not looking good.

Argentina, China, United States
Argentina keeps a low profile to secure deal for F-16 fighter aircraft

As China and the United States fight for influence in Argentina, Economy Minister Sergio Massa is finalising the details of an order from the US for a batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft. Argentina wants to announce the order early in 2023 in the hope that this will help it speed up negotiations on a third revision of Argentina's debt agreement with the IMF.

France, Saudi Arabia, Spain
Naval Group's fight for Saudi Arabian combat ship deal sunk by Spain's Navantia

Faced with the contract won by the Spanish Navantia to equip the Royal Saudi Navy, the French Naval Group has conceded defeat. Intelligence Online takes a look into the background of a competition that did not go well from the start.

United Kingdom, United States
UK's Labour taps into Sally Donnelly's powerful Washington network

With the UK's Conservative government facing the possibility of a snap general election, Labour's defence teams have got moving in Washington.

Argentina, China, United States
Chinese activism sparks US action over Argentine fighter jet acquisitions

Washington is not at all happy with the deal negotiated between China and Argentina over the sale of 12 fighter jets to Buenos Aires. It is counting on Argentine Minister of Economy Sergio Massa to negotiate future contracts with Denmark instead.

The Agencies' Gazette
CIA and Taliban, UK geospatial intel, Russian control centre in Ukraine, Serbian BIA

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets of news, big and small, from the global intelligence community. This week we hone in on Doha, Baghdad, London and Moscow.

United States/AfghanistanIslamabad and Doha aid CIA-Taliban meeting.

United KingdomIntelligence issues in British space strategy.

RussiaIntelligence services at heart of new Ukraine coordination council.

SerbiaVucic blends geopolitics with internal security.

Taiwan
Taiwan's military procurement ambitions keep 'business diplomats' busy

With the threat of a Chinese military invasion in the air, Taiwan is building up its military defences, prompting local and international companies to mobilise their defence consultants.