All Middle East articles
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AnalysisNew low-cost US attack drone offers strike range of over 400nm for under $55k
The Pentagon has disclosed specifications for its LUCAS one-way attack drone, a reverse-engineered derivative of Iran’s Shahed-136 offering 434nm range at costs between $10,000-$55,000, as the US military deploys the type operationally for the first time in the Middle East theatre.
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NewsUS Air Force KC-135 tanker crashes in Iraq killing all aboard
A US Air Force Boeing KC-135 tanker has crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, with US Central Command confirming the incident was not caused by hostile action or friendly fire.
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NewsB-1B bombers spotted at RAF Fairford being loaded with 900kg guided bombs
Video appears to show Boeing B-1B supersonic bombers being loaded with GBU-31 GPS-guided bombs and long-range cruise missiles at the Gloucestershire base, which is hosting a number of US bombers involved in the ongoing air campaign against Iran.
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NewsQatari bank division to acquire widebody portfolio of Amedeo entity
Qatari-based financial institution Lesha Bank is to acquire the portfolio of 12 widebody jets held by aircraft asset manager Amedeo’s Air Four Plus vehicle. Air Four Plus has six Airbus A380s and two Boeing 777-300ERs, which have been operated by Emirates, along with four A350-900s with Thai Airways International. Lesha ...
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NewsAustralia deploys E-7A to Middle East amid Iranian attacks
Australia has deployed a Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft to the Middle East to provide early detection of Iranian drones and missiles. Canberra will also supply Raytheon AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, whilst emphasising it is not participating in offensive operations against Iran.
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In depthCritical shortage or endless supply? Munitions availability in the Iran war
US defence officials have declared stockpiles of precision munitions sufficient for sustained operations against Iran, contradicting years of warnings from military officers and industry executives about the imbalance between production capacity and battlefield demand.
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NewsRoyal Navy helicopters arrive to boost defence of UK’s Akrotiri base in Cyprus
The UK has bolstered its defensive capability in the eastern Mediterranean, with new rotary-wing assets and an airborne surveillance and control platform having arrived.
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NewsMiddle East airlines slowly restart operations after days of conflict
Several Middle East operators have resumed operations – albeit at a limited scale – following days of airspace closures amid an ongoing regional conflict.
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NewsUS strike sets Iranian drone carrier Shahid Bagheri ablaze
The US Central Command has released surveillance footage showing Iranian drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri engulfed in flames following a weapons strike, marking the second attack on the vessel since Operation Epic Fury began on 2 March.
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NewsUK to dispatch extra Typhoons to Qatar as Iran conflict rages
Another four of the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) Eurofighter Typhoons are to be flown to the Middle East, as the US and Israeli air campaign against Iran continues to impact security across the wider region.
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NewsUS air campaign shifts to gravity bombs as Pentagon officials downplay munition concerns
The Pentagon says it will transition from expensive long-range missiles to GPS-guided gravity bombs as its air campaign against Iran intensifies, though senior officials insist munitions stockpiles remain strong despite heavy use of precision weapons.
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NewsWizz Air cuts full-year forecast over impact of Middle East conflict
Central European budget carrier Wizz Air has cut its full-year financial forecast over the impact of the Middle East conflict. It had previously expected a net result ranging from a €25 million loss to a €25 million profit at the end of the fiscal year on 31 March. But it ...
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NewsIsraeli F-35I downs Iranian Yak-130 in clash over Tehran
Israel has recorded its first air-to-air success with the Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir, with one of its stealth fighters having destroyed an Iranian aircraft over Tehran on 4 March.
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NewsEl Al to refurbish all six 777s by first quarter of 2027
Israeli flag-carrier El Al expects to have all six Boeing 777-200ERs in its fleet reconfigured by the end of the first quarter next year. The airline has been refitting the 279-seat twinjets to feature a 313-seat layout and a cabin consistent with that of its Boeing 787s. El Al retired ...
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NewsUS bombers strike deep into Iran as Epic Fury intensifies
B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers have all conducted strikes against Iranian targets as part of Epic Fury operations, with US Central Command reporting over 2,000 targets hit in the first 100 hours of the air campaign.
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NewsUK F-35Bs down Iranian drones in defensive action over Jordan
The UK has performed its first aerial engagements with the Lockheed Martin F-35B, with aircraft from the Royal Air Force’s 617 Sqn having successfully engaged one-way attack drones launched from Iran.
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AnalysisIran drones, missiles could test rivals’ magazine depth
Iran may be absorbing heavy strikes, but its drone and missile launches are targeting a vulnerability that airpower alone cannot fix: the magazine depths of the adversaries ranged against it.
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NewsMiddle East conflict: limited flights resume while many more remain cancelled
Dubai-based operators Emirates and Flydubai have resumed operating a “limited number of flights” following nearly three days of operational pause, and amid the prospect that the conflict in the Middle East could drag on for longer.
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NewsUS B-1Bs strike Iranian missile sites amid widening conflict
US Air Force Boeing B-1B Lancer bombers have struck targets deep inside Iranian territory, as Washington’s military campaign against Tehran intensifies to include more than 1,200 sites.
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AnalysisChinese intelligence company tracking US military assets during Iran operations
Shanghai-based MizarVision has been publicly posting satellite imagery of American military movements throughout Operation Epic Fury, including locations of F-22 fighters, command and control aircraft, and aircraft carrier strike groups – with some sites subsequently targeted by Iranian retaliation.