Gulf turns to Turkey for air defence systems amid Iran threats

Gulf turns to Turkey for air defence systems amid Iran threats Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Mon, 05/11/2026 - 10:59 As drone warfare reshape the region and US suppliers remain backlogged, Gulf states move to secure Turkish military products A Tulpa Turkish heavy infantry fighting vehicle on display during the opening day of the Saha Expo, an international defence and aerospace exhibition, in Istanbul on 5 May 2026 (Yasin Akgul/AFP) Off As the United States government and defence companies face long backlogs in delivering weapons to their clients, Gulf and Arab states are increasingly signing deals to buy or invest in Turkish arms. The US and Israel 's war on Iran since late February has placed heavy pressure on Gulf countries, particularly Kuwait , the United Arab Emirates , Qatar and Saudi Arabia . Despite their robust air defence systems, which remain effective against ballistic missiles, these states are facing ammunition shortages and a serious challenge from Iranian long-range drones, which have succeeded in destroying several long-range radar systems in the region.