President Donald Trump announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in American defense policy in the Middle East. The planned sale comes on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House.
The United States has been deploying hundreds of combat aircraft and support assets to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. According to AeroTime, fighter squadrons have been transiting en masse from US and European bases towards the region, including F-35 and F-16 fighters, as well as E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft.
A US Navy F-35C fighter jet shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels and a Mohajer drone approaching a US-flagged commercial tanker hours later.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem has urged non-emergency government personnel and family members to leave Israel while commercial flights are still available, citing safety risks. According to Breaking Defense, the Department of State authorized the evacuation due to security incidents and potential threats from Iran.
Breaking Defense reports that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is developing scalable solutions for Middle Eastern nations with its MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian platforms. The MQ-9B offers certified airworthiness and interoperable C4ISR systems, while the Gambit Series aircraft are designed for collaborative combat operations.
Singapore Airlines is set to relaunch non-stop flights between Singapore and Riyadh in June 2026, after a 12-year absence. The service will operate four times a week using an Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
Riyadh Air has welcomed its third Boeing 787 Dreamliner as it prepares to launch its first commercial flights. The aircraft is part of the airline's fleet of 60 Airbus A321neo, 25 A350-1000, and 39 787-9 Dreamliners.
Pilatus has partnered with AMAC Aerospace, an authorized centre in the Middle East, to provide complex modifications and outfitting services for large private aircraft. AMAC Aerospace is known for its expertise in aircraft maintenance and completion, and the partnership will enable Pilatus to expand its customer support network in the region.
Pilatus has approved Jet Aviation Dubai as an Authorized PC-24 Service Center, expanding its maintenance services portfolio to include the Super Versatile Jet. Located at Dubai International Airport, Jet Aviation provides comprehensive maintenance services for Pilatus aircraft, according to Breaking Defense reports.
US President Donald Trump is expected to approve a deal allowing Saudi Arabia to acquire dozens of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets despite Pentagon concerns. The proposal faces resistance inside the US government due to links with China and Israel's 'qualitative military edge'.
Flights across the Middle East were rerouted on February 28, 2026, following explosions reported in Tehran and other Iranian cities. The US had launched 'major combat operations' against Iranian missile capabilities, while Israel declared a nationwide emergency posture.
Breaking Defense reports on the prospects for fighter jet deals, missile defenses, and peace talks in the Middle East and North Africa in 2026. The US has allowed Saudi Arabia to purchase F-35s, while Turkey may rejoin the program after removing sanctions.
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.
Breaking Defense reports on the most significant news stories from the Middle East in 2025, including Turkey's Steel Dome air defense system, Saudi Arabia's potential deal with General Atomics, Egypt's military drills with China, UAE's satellite launch plans, and the Middle East defense industry's growing presence in SIPRI's Top 100. The region's defense landscape is characterized by increased investment, cooperation, and competition, reflecting the complex web of alliances and rivalries that shape global security.
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.
flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority to establish a new airline, flynas Syria, marking a step toward rebuilding Syria's civil aviation sector. The joint venture will be established as a 51-49 split between flynas and the Syrian authority.
Emirates has announced that it will expand its Premium Economy cabin to 10 additional cities across its network, while launching extra daily frequencies to Copenhagen, Phuket and Cape Town. The airline said that the expansion forms part of its fleet retrofit program, which will see Premium Economy available on more than 84 routes by July 1, 2026.
Embraer will showcase its new KC-390 Millennium demonstrator at the Dubai Airshow 2025, featuring a fresh paint scheme. The aircraft will be displayed alongside the E195-E2 and E190F, as well as Embraer's advanced air mobility subsidiary Eve Air Mobility.
Cebu Pacific has announced a new direct flight service between Manila International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, starting March 1, 2026. With four weekly flights, the airline aims to provide more affordable travel options for Filipino migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
AeroTime spoke with Kirk Schultz, Regional Director for International Business Development at Boeing Defense, Space and Security, during WDS 2026. Schultz emphasized the importance of Saudi Arabia as a key market for Boeing, citing the country's largest user internationally of both F-15 and AH-64 Apache.
AMAC Aerospace's Bodrum facility has been approved as the newest member of the Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) Service Centre Network. The agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow 2025, expanding ACJ's support footprint across Turkey and the Middle East.
AirAsia X announced plans to establish Bahrain as its first hub outside Asia, connecting Southeast Asia with the Middle East and Europe through a new route to London. The Malaysian low-cost carrier has emerged from one of aviation's most challenging periods with renewed focus and financial discipline, backed by an order book of 374 aircraft.
Air China has launched its first new international route of 2026, connecting Beijing Capital International Airport with Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport on a Boeing 787 widebody. The service, which operates four times weekly, marks an expansion of Air China's Middle East network and provides an alternative to existing one-stop itineraries.