Dubai International Airport reported minor damage after an incident involving Iranian missile and drone strikes. According to AeroTime, multiple Shahed-136 UAVs struck the airport, causing injuries to four staff members and suspending operations until March 2, 2026.
The UAE aerobatic team Al Fursan has unveiled its new fleet of Hongdu L-15 jets at the Dubai Airshow 2025, marking a significant change after 15 years of flying the Aermacchi MB-339. The team's introduction of the L-15 is notable, given the aircraft's advanced features and the UAE's status as its highest-profile export customer to date.
The Dubai Airshow brought together top defense contractors from around the world, with Russia and China stealing the spotlight. Breaking Defense provides comprehensive coverage of the airshow, including Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II, Su-57 stealth fighter, Wing Loong WL-X hunter-killer drone, Saab's GlobalEye jet, and UAE-based Calidus' B-250 trainer and light attack aircraft.
René Armas Maes argues that premium airline first and business class seat capacity can serve as a proxy for UAE-UK business jet charter demand. The data shows that the UK absorbed between 24.
MBDA, Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and French company FLY-R have launched defense localization projects in the UAE. The initiatives include the establishment of MBDA's fully owned UAE subsidiary and a co-development program to design and industrialize an AI-enabled loitering munition.
MBDA plans to establish a new wholly-owned subsidiary in the UAE, focusing on loitering munitions and missiles. The company aims to increase its presence in the Middle East through partnerships with local firms like EDGE Group and Calidus.
LODD Autonomous has completed the first flight of Hili, a new hybrid VTOL cargo aircraft designed, built, and tested in Abu Dhabi. The milestone marks a significant step forward for the UAE's ambitions in autonomous aviation and advanced logistics.
Joby Aviation has successfully completed the first crewed electric aerial taxi flight between two locations in the UAE, as part of Dubai's air taxi plans. The flight took place on November 16, 2025, and was conducted in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai.
In a significant operational milestone, a French Air & Space Force KC-130J Super Hercules successfully refueled a Dassault Rafale fighter jet in flight for the first time during the Gulf25 exercise between France and the UAE. The demonstration, conducted from Air Base 104 Al Dhafra, expands the KC-130J's operational envelope beyond its primary roles supporting special operations and helicopter refueling.
The third edition of World Defense show in Saudi Arabia saw an almost complete absence of Emirati defense firms, including EDGE Group and Tawazun, according to Breaking Defense. The move is attributed to deteriorating relations between the two Gulf countries, particularly over their conflicting stances on the conflict in Yemen.
Emirates has confirmed its final flight out of Algeria, following the cancellation of an air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates. The airline stated that flights to and from Algeria are operating as scheduled and services remain unaffected for now.
Embraer has dropped its proposal for a final assembly line in Saudi Arabia, opting instead to pursue a similar facility in the UAE. This move comes after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Saudi Arabian Military Industries in 2023.
EDGE Group unveiled several new systems at the Dubai Airshow and announced over a dozen new deals or cooperation agreements, including a $7 billion deal with Indonesia. CEO Hamad Al Marar emphasized the importance of exports in covering EDGE's expenses and diversifying its clientele.
Chapman Freeborn's UAE office exceeded monthly targets across passenger, cargo, and ACMI charter operations in January 2026, according to AeroTime reports. The company's IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa) region reported strong performance, driven by steady regional charter demand and cross-team collaboration.
Barzan Holdings and EDGE Group have formed a first-of-its-kind joint defense firm to develop defense platforms and technologies. This partnership may signal a growing trend of regional defense cooperation, Breaking Defense reports.
Defense companies EDGE Group and Anduril Industries have announced plans to combine their knowledge and expertise to build a series of next generation autonomous systems, including Autonomous Air Vehicle (AAV). On November 13, 2025, Abu Dhabi-based EDGE and US-owned Anduril unveiled the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance.