The drone attacks against state-owned oil producer Saudi Aramco that took place in September 2019 made the headlines the world over, drawing attention to the increasing use of this type of capability in the Middle East. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being used by insurgents—as was the case with the Saudi Aramco attacks that Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for—and governments alike, as parties in the region seek to complement their combat air capabilities with unmanned counterparts.
While nations in the Gulf are focusing on the acquisition of modern and capable fighter fleets—the Gulf Cooperation Council nations all operate or have ordered contemporary manned combat jets—there is also a parallel drive to extend the capabilities of these with the use of UAVs, which can be operated at ever-increasing stand-off ranges for effective mission execution. As is the case with fighter fleets, there is a strong focus on imports for UAVs in the region, and Middle Eastern nations are looking towards a mix of U.S., Russian and Chinese suppliers of this type of system.
