Arms production in the Middle East grows

The Swedish research body registers a radical change in power relations with world powers, especially the United States and Russia. The manufacture of conventional, light and small arms is increasing. Along with Israel, Turkey, Iran and, to a lesser extent, Jordan and Egypt are gaining ground.

Istanbul () – In terms of weapons, the Middle East region (and North Africa, MENA) is undergoing a turnaround that for some analysts is equivalent to a “radical change”. From being an importing zone, in recent times it has been consolidating itself more and more as a producer, and the data from the latest report by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) published at the beginning of November provide new confirmation. Dependence on global powers is increasingly becoming a thing of the past, while local industry flourishes, also favored by a reconfiguration of regional (and global) alliances.

The SIPRI study, based on the Arms Transfers Database, shows that MENA countries are developing – or attempting to – a “limited production of conventional weapons and Salw (small caliber and light)”. Among the examples, the report mentions armored vehicles in Algeria and Egypt and anti-tank rockets in Jordan. This implies a sea change for a region that has historically relied on outside powers like Russia and the United States (and in recent years, China) for military procurement and supplies. While Israel has maintained its place as the top arms exporter in the Middle East, countries like Turkey and Iran have positioned themselves among the top producers. Ankara was already the world’s 12th largest arms supplier before the Ukraine war, but in recent months it has made further progress by supplying Bayraktar TB-2 drones to kyiv. On the other side of the conflict, Tehran has guaranteed Moscow drones (cheap and available) like the Shahed-136.

The changes taking place in the arms market come at a time when the traditional superpowers themselves are assessing their ability – and their willingness – to sell weapons abroad. According to Middle East Eye (MEE), the Russian defense industry is severely affected by Western sanctions and strict export controls, leaving traditional customers in the lurch. In the United States, both Democrats and Republicans – although for different reasons, ranging from economic/energy criteria to the question of human rights – have called for a (partial) interruption of sales to historical partners such as Mohammed bin’s Saudi Arabia Salman (Mbs) or the Egypt of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Consequently, the countries of the Middle East are working to support domestic production and strengthen the war industry of their respective countries. In March, the CEO of Saudi Military Industries (SAMI) announced that the Wahhabi kingdom plans to produce a domestically manufactured drone and open one of the world’s largest munitions factories, knocking on China’s doors for technological assistance. .

Even Jordan, a relatively small military player compared to its neighbors, is emerging as an arms exporter. According to SIPRI, the country of 10 million people was the 25th largest arms supplier in the world between 2017-2021, although this was mainly due to the export of second-hand equipment such as combat helicopters and armored personnel carriers. The United Arab Emirates and Turkey found themselves on opposite fronts in the Libyan conflict and on broader issues such as support for the Muslim Brotherhood. For some time, however, they have returned to close ties and last September Abu Dhabi bought 20 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Ankara.