Gulf states turn to Turkey for air defence systems amid Iran threats and US backlogs

Gulf states including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are signing contracts for Turkish air defence systems as US delivery backlogs and Iranian drone attacks strain existing capabilities, according to defence officials and industry sources at the Saha Expo arms fair in Istanbul.

The US and Israel's war on Iran began in late February, placing heavy pressure on Gulf countries. Despite robust air defence systems that remain effective against ballistic missiles, these states face ammunition shortages and a serious challenge from Iranian long-range drones, which have destroyed several long-range radar systems in the region, sources said.

Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Sabah signed a government-to-government sales protocol at Saha Expo to procure military systems from major Turkish defence companies, including Aselsan, Havelsan, drone maker Baykar, armoured vehicle producer Otokar and Yonca Shipyard. One source familiar with Kuwaiti government thinking told Middle East Eye that Kuwait was particularly interested in Baykar's medium-altitude, long-endurance Akinci drones, as well as air defence systems such as Hisar, designed for short- and medium-altitude threats. Kuwait already purchased Bayraktar TB2 drones from Ankara in 2023.

Two Turkish defence industry insiders said Saudi Arabia and Qatar signed contracts to purchase the Korkut 100/25 air defence system. Produced by Aselsan, the system is designed to counter first-person-view and tethered drones using 25-millimetre smart ammunition. The insiders added that Saudi Arabia also intends to purchase newly unveiled air defence systems presented at Saha Expo, including laser-guided anti-drone systems that can be mounted on small trucks.

Iraq is also exploring such purchases. Iraq's deputy army chief of staff for operations, Lieutenant General Saad Harbiye, told The National that Iraq was finalising the purchase of 20 air defence systems. A source familiar with the matter told MEE that these systems were also likely to be Korkut anti-drone vehicles.

UAE Vice President Mansour bin Zayed visited the Saha fair on Friday, inspecting products displayed by several companies.

One area where Turkey is still struggling to offer a credible option to Gulf states is in the interception of ballistic missiles. Although Ankara has several systems under development, including the Siper long-range missile defence system, it would need another four to five years of development to adapt them effectively against ballistic missile threats, sources said.

One Turkish defence industry insider said Gulf countries remained interested in future Turkish systems because alternative suppliers, such as the United States, face delivery backlogs of several years for Patriot and THAAD systems and their ammunition. "They can buy Turkish systems within a similar timeframe, with a potential option for localisation and joint development if the conditions are right," the insider said. "And they increasingly recognise that it is a better offer."