Analysis & Reports

The Dassault Rafale has secured over 640 orders by the end of 2024, becoming a preferred choice for countries like Egypt, Qatar, and India. It is marketed as a sovereign purchase, free from American control, appealing to nations seeking operational independence. The aircraft's continuous upgrades further enhance its attractiveness, contrasting with the F-35's market dominance.

President Trump departed Turkey on an older Air Force One before switching to a new Qatari-donated jet at RAF Mildenhall in Britain. He acknowledged potential assassination threats from Iran during his trip. The new aircraft, a Boeing 747, was intended for U.S. service members to tour, but its security has drawn scrutiny due to rapid retrofitting.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed her government's refusal to permit U.S. military operations against Iran during the NATO Summit in Ankara. She emphasized that Italy is not at war and will not participate in attacks against Iran, despite criticism from U.S. President Trump. This stance reflects Italy's longstanding policy of avoiding direct involvement in the Iran conflict.

Turkey signed a $10.7 billion deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoons in October 2025, marking a significant shift in military procurement as nations prioritize sovereignty over reliance on U.S. defense systems. Countries like Portugal are also leaning towards the Typhoon, citing concerns about U.S. reliability. The Eurofighter consortium continues to enhance the aircraft's capabilities, making it an attractive option despite its higher purchase price compared to the F-35.

Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on its soil, marking a shift towards its own long-range strike capability. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the deal was finalized during a NATO summit in Ankara. The exact number of missiles and launchers remains classified, but this move aims to enhance Germany's defense strategy amid changing U.S. military presence in Europe.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned that any U.S. interference in the Strait of Hormuz would lead to a strong response. Following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian positions that resulted in 14 deaths and 78 injuries, Iran retaliated with drone strikes against U.S. targets. The IRGC Navy emphasized that it has restored shipping traffic in the Strait to 50% of pre-war levels.

Belgium confirmed a defense acquisition valued at over €3 billion ($3.4 billion) during the NATO Summit held in Ankara, Türkiye.

Li Xiaolong, a first-class merit awardee, recently awarded shoulder insignia to his son, Li Rui, during a new recruit ceremony at a training base. Li Rui, who decided to join the military after witnessing his father's achievements, has excelled in training, setting records in physical fitness. The ceremony highlights the legacy of military service within the family.

On July 9, 2026, Iranian forces launched attacks targeting U.S. military assets in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, including Patriot missile batteries. Kuwait reported intercepting a cruise missile, three ballistic missiles, and ten drones. This escalation follows U.S. strikes on Iranian military sites, indicating a complex military engagement in the region.

Ahmed Al-RashidThu Jul 09 2026Loading...

Kuwaiti Armed Forces intercepted 1 cruise missile, 3 ballistic missiles, and 10 drones in Kuwaiti airspace on September 9. Debris from the intercepted missiles and drones caused one injury and damaged some infrastructure.

Turkey announced a $24 billion investment in the Steel Dome air and missile defense project during the NATO Summit in Ankara. This initiative aims to enhance Turkey's defense capabilities and increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030. The Steel Dome system integrates various air defense technologies to protect Turkish airspace and reduce reliance on allied systems.

Turkey's President Erdogan rebuts objections from Israel and Greece regarding the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets by the U.S. to Turkey. He stated that the concerns raised by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis are unfounded. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also rejected Israel's worries, labeling them as part of a disinformation campaign. Tensions between Turkey and Israel have increased, particularly following the resurgence of the Israel-Palestine conflict in 2023.

The Iranian military conducted drone strikes against multiple U.S. military targets in the Middle East on July 9. The targets included Patriot air defense systems in Kuwait, satellite antennas in Qatar, and fuel storage facilities in Bahrain. This action was described as a response to U.S. aggression towards Iran.

Belgium announced plans to acquire 10 NASAMS air defense batteries as part of a larger air defense package worth over €3.1 billion, signed during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. This acquisition, in cooperation with the Netherlands, marks a significant upgrade to Belgium's air defense capabilities, which have not been modernized since the Cold War. The NASAMS system will enhance Belgium's ability to intercept various aerial threats, including aircraft and cruise missiles.

The Iranian military conducted drone strikes against U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain on the morning of the report. Targets included the Patriot missile defense system and fuel depots. This action was a response to U.S. attacks on Iranian military units, with Iran warning of broader retaliation if U.S. aggression persists.

U.S. airstrikes on August 8 and 9 in Iran resulted in 14 deaths and 78 injuries, according to a statement from the Iranian Ministry of Health. The strikes affected five provinces within the country.

The UK will lead a European project to develop new long-range missiles, announced during a NATO summit in Ankara. This initiative aims to reduce NATO's reliance on US weapons and strengthen the European defense pillar. Participating countries include Germany, Ukraine, France, and the Netherlands, with a focus on creating precision strike capabilities.

A U.S. airstrike targeted the outskirts of Ahvaz in Khuzestan Province, Iran, on September 9, resulting in 3 deaths and multiple injuries. Iranian security officials are currently assessing the scale and damage caused by the strike.

Venus Aerospace raised $91 million to enhance production of its rotating detonation rocket engines, aiming to meet defense demands. NATO leaders announced significant new weapons deals and increased defense spending, with European allies committing an additional $139 billion from 2024 to 2025. Anduril secured its first NATO contract for its AI platform, Lattice, as NATO prepares to boost artillery shell production to four million annually by next year.

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior reported that air defense alarms were sounded for the second time on July 9 in Manama. This indicates heightened military readiness in response to potential threats.