Gulf countries are increasingly turning to Turkey to strengthen their air defense systems as regional tensions with Iran escalate. The shift comes as U.S. defense companies struggle to meet arms and equipment demands, prompting Arab states to seek alternative suppliers. Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on American bases, countries such as Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have faced heightened security risks.

Despite possessing advanced defense systems, these nations have struggled to counter Iran’s ballistic missiles and long-range drones, which can evade radar detection. In response, several Gulf states have initiated talks and agreements with Ankara to acquire Turkish-made weapons and defense systems. Kuwait has signed a protocol with Turkey to purchase Bayraktar Akinci drones and Hisar air defense systems, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reportedly agreed to buy Korkut 100/25 systems.

The growing Gulf presence at Turkey’s recent SAHA Expo defense exhibition, including active participation from Iraq, underscores the region’s expanding defense cooperation with Ankara.