DefenceTalkA surprise deal to restore ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran will reverberate across and beyond the Middle East, analysts said Friday, touching everything from Yemen’s war to China’s regional engagement. The agreement calls for the long-time rivals “to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months”. It ends the rupture that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/made-in-china-saudi-iran-deal-goes-beyond-middle-east-say-analysts-79929/

DefenceTalkLondon’s High Court on Tuesday examined the legality of a decision by the UK to renew sales of arms to Saudi Arabia that could be used in the war in Yemen. The case has been brought by UK-based NGO, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which accuses the government of contributing to breaches of international law […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-court-examines-legality-of-resuming-saudi-arms-sales-79829/

DefenceTalkAir defence systems have been front and center at Saudi Arabia’s first defence show as drone and missile attacks increase in the energy-rich Gulf. Deadly strikes on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates claimed by Yemeni rebels have been the talk of shows held in the two countries in recent weeks. Six hundred companies […]https://www.defencetalk.com/big-threat-air-defences-take-center-stage-at-saudi-arms-show-78338/

DefenceTalkSaudi Arabia announced a deal Monday with US firm Lockheed Martin to manufacture elements of the missile defences of the Gulf state, the target of frequent cross-border attacks by rebels in Yemen. Its military industries authority, cited by state news agency SPA, approved two projects to produce launchers and other equipment used in the THAAD […]https://www.defencetalk.com/saudi-arabia-lockheed-martin-in-missile-defense-deal-78326/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkSaudi Arabia’s state arms producer signed an agreement Sunday with US contractor Lockheed Martin to form a joint venture, a statement said, as Washington reviews weapons sales to the kingdom. The deal was announced by Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), which said it will own 51 percent of the venture, as it seeks to boost […]https://www.defencetalk.com/saudi-arms-producer-in-defence-venture-with-lockheed-martin-76799/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkPresident Joe Biden will Thursday announce an end to US military support for the Saudi allies’ devastating war in Yemen in a speech meant to show a reinvigorated focus on diplomacy. Two weeks into his presidency, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris traveled together to the State Department in a show of support for the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/biden-ends-us-support-for-yemen-war-freezes-germany-troop-redeployment-76763/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkItaly on Friday revoked approval for arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over the conflict in Yemen, making permanent an 18-month temporary suspension. “Today I am announcing that the government has revoked the authorizations underway for the export of missiles and aircraft bombs to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/italy-blocks-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-permanently-76709/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkUS President Joe Biden’s administration has temporarily frozen for review a massive package of F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates and arms to Saudi Arabia, officials said Wednesday. The nearly week-old administration has already signaled it plans to end support for the Saudi-led, UAE-backed offensive in Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. A […]https://www.defencetalk.com/biden-freezes-giant-uae-f35-jet-package-saudi-arms-for-review-76692/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkYemeni separatists abandoned their declaration of self-rule in the south on Wednesday and pledged to implement a stalled Saudi-brokered peace deal, mending a rift between allies in the war against Huthi rebels. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) proclaimed self-governance in April after accusing the government of failing to perform its duties and of “conspiring” against […]https://www.defencetalk.com/yemeni-separatists-abandon-self-rule-push-peace-deal-76089/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkBritain said on Tuesday it would resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia, halted last year after a UK court ruling over the Gulf kingdom’s bombing campaign in neighbouring Yemen. Weapons exports were stopped in June 2019 after the Court of Appeal ordered the government to clarify how it assesses whether their use in Yemen’s civil […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-set-to-resume-saudi-arms-sales-despite-yemen-concerns-75868/