Middle East Defense Industry: Nine Firms in SIPRI's Top 100 List

The Middle East’s defense industrial base continues expanding, with nine regional firms now ranking among SIPRI’s Top 100 global arms producers—a historic high. Led by Israel’s Elbit Systems at $6.3 billion in 2024 sales, the region’s defense sector generated approximately $31 billion in combined revenue. Turkey and Israel dominate the regional presence with five and three firms respectively, while the UAE’s EDGE Group makes its debut on the prestigious list. Demand driven by ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, coupled with growing international appetite for advanced capabilities including UAVs and counter-drone systems, fuels the sector’s momentum.