Gulf countries are increasingly turning to Turkish-made air defence systems as regional tensions with Iran continue to grow. The shift reflects rising concerns among Gulf states over missile and drone threats, particularly following repeated regional escalations involving Iran and its allied groups.
Turkey’s defence industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, with Ankara promoting domestically produced systems as cost-effective alternatives to Western weapons platforms. Gulf officials and analysts cited in the report said countries in the region are showing growing interest in Turkish systems because of their battlefield performance, lower costs and fewer political restrictions compared with some Western suppliers.
The report said discussions and defence cooperation efforts have intensified as Gulf governments seek to strengthen protection against aerial threats. Turkey has also deepened military ties with several Gulf states through defence agreements, joint exercises and weapons exports.
Analysts say the growing interest in Turkish defence technology highlights broader geopolitical shifts in the Middle East, where regional powers are increasingly diversifying military partnerships amid uncertainty over long-term US security commitments in the Gulf.
