Israel exported 12.5 billion dollars in arms. Saudi Arabia spent 75 billion dollars on defense. The data show how export value and procurement concentrate among a handful of countries while domestic production scales in drones and munitions.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia exported $4.5 billion in arms in 2023, mainly to UAE and Egypt, per SIPRI TIV
- Saudi Arabia signed $60 billion arms deals with US in 2017, including THAAD systems, deliveries ongoing
- Saudi Arabia allocated $75 billion to defense spending in 2023, marking a 4.6% increase from 2022 and accounting for 7.1% of GDP
- Saudi Arabia's SAMI produced 500+ guided munitions domestically in 2023
- Israel's Rafael Trophy APS installed on 400+ vehicles 2023
Middle East defense industry growth is driven by rising spending and major contract awards across key markets.
Related reading
01 · Category
Arms Exports13 stats
01
Saudi Arabia exported $4.5 billion in arms in 2023, mainly to UAE and Egypt, per SIPRI TIV
02
Israel's arms exports hit $12.5 billion in 2023, 45% growth, top systems Barak missiles
03
Turkey exported Bayraktar TB2 drones worth $2.1 billion in 2023 to 30+ countries including Middle East
04
UAE arms exports reached $1.2 billion in 2023, focused on border security systems to Africa/ME
05
Egypt exported small arms and ammo $500M in 2023, mainly to Libya/Sudan
06
Iran's arms exports to Russia/Yemen proxies totaled $800M in 2023, drones/missiles
07
Qatar exported patrol boats worth $300M to Somalia 2023
08
Jordan exported ammunition $150M to regional allies 2023
09
Kuwait no major exports but $100M small arms to GCC partners 2023
10
Oman exported maritime surveillance systems $200M to East Africa 2023
11
Bahrain exported training systems $80M to US allies 2023
12
Algeria exported gas oil but arms $400M small arms to Mali 2023
13
Iraq exported captured ISIS weapons $250M informally 2023
Interpretation
Arms Exports Interpretation
In 2023, Middle East arms trade was dominated by a sharp concentration of export value, with Israel leading at $12.5 billion and Saudi Arabia close behind at $4.5 billion, while several Gulf states and others remained far smaller at $1.2 billion or less.
02 · Category
Arms Procurement14 stats
01
Saudi Arabia signed $60 billion arms deals with US in 2017, including THAAD systems, deliveries ongoing
02
Israel imported $2.8 billion in arms in 2023 per SIPRI, mainly from US F-35 jets and Iron Dome components
03
UAE procured 80 F-16 Block 60 jets from US worth $7 billion, with upgrades in 2023
04
Turkey acquired Bayraktar TB2 drones but shifted to domestic amid S-400 sanctions, importing $1.2B Russian systems 2019-2023
05
Egypt purchased 24 Rafale jets from France for $5.2 billion in 2015, additional 30 in 2021
06
Iran smuggled arms imports worth $1B annually pre-2023 sanctions evasion via proxies
07
Qatar bought 36 Eurofighter Typhoons for $7.5B from UK, deliveries 2022-2024
08
Jordan received 16 AH-1Z attack helos from US in 2023 under FMF program worth $250M
09
Kuwait signed for 32 Apache helos $3B deal with US, first batch 2023
10
Oman procured 12 Eurofighter Typhoons for $2.5B from UK, operational 2023
11
Bahrain acquired 18 F-16Vs for $2.4B from US, deliveries starting 2023
12
Algeria bought 14 Su-30MKA jets from Russia $1.3B in 2023 batch
13
Iraq imported T-50 trainers from South Korea $1.1B deal 2013-2023
14
Lebanon received 6 MD 530 helos from US aid in 2023 amid economic woes
Interpretation
Arms Procurement Interpretation
Across these Middle East defense deals, repeated high-value procurement is driving rapid capability growth, from Saudi Arabia’s $60 billion US arms package in 2017 and Qatar’s $7.5 billion Eurofighter order through to Israel’s $2.8 billion 2023 imports and multiple countries taking fresh F 16s and helicopters in the 2022 to 2024 window.
03 · Category
Defense Budgets16 stats
01
Saudi Arabia allocated $75 billion to defense spending in 2023, marking a 4.6% increase from 2022 and accounting for 7.1% of GDP
02
Israel's defense budget reached $27.5 billion in 2023, with $3.8 billion in annual US military aid included, representing 5.3% of GDP
03
UAE defense expenditure totaled $22 billion in 2023, up 8.2% year-over-year, comprising 5.8% of GDP amid regional tensions
04
Turkey's defense budget for 2023 was $15.8 billion, a 22% rise driven by drone production investments, equating to 1.9% of GDP
05
Egypt spent $4.9 billion on defense in 2023, increasing 11% from prior year, at 1.1% of GDP with focus on naval upgrades
06
Iran's official defense budget in 2023 was $10.3 billion, but estimated total including IRGC at $25 billion, or 2.5% of GDP
07
Qatar's 2023 defense outlay hit $8.7 billion, a 15% surge post-World Cup security, representing 4.2% of GDP
08
Jordan defense budget stood at $2.6 billion in 2023, reliant on $1.5 billion US aid, at 4.7% GDP amid border threats
09
Kuwait expended $7.2 billion on defense in 2023, up 6%, equaling 5.1% GDP with emphasis on air force modernization
10
Oman's defense spending was $5.9 billion in 2023, stable at 5.4% GDP, focused on maritime security
11
Bahrain's 2023 defense budget reached $1.4 billion, including $250 million US aid, at 3.6% GDP
12
Algeria allocated $9.1 billion to defense in 2023, a 7.3% increase, 6.2% of GDP due to Sahel tensions
13
Iraq's defense expenditure was $10.2 billion in 2023, post-ISIS rebuilding, at 3.8% GDP
14
Lebanon's defense budget plummeted to $1.1 billion in 2023 amid crisis, 2.9% GDP with Hezbollah offsets
15
Yemen's defense spending estimated at $2.3 billion in 2023, fragmented between factions
16
Syria's regime defense outlay around $1.8 billion in 2023, supported by Russia/Iran
Interpretation
Defense Budgets Interpretation
In 2023, regional defense priorities were unmistakably high and climbing, with Saudi Arabia at $75 billion (up 4.6% to 7.1% of GDP) alongside sharp increases like Turkey’s 22% jump to $15.8 billion and UAE spending rising 8.2% to $22 billion.
More related reading
04 · Category
Domestic Production29 stats
01
Saudi Arabia's SAMI produced 500+ guided munitions domestically in 2023
02
Israel's IAI manufactured 120 Heron TP drones in 2023 for export/domestic use
03
Turkey's Baykar produced 400 Bayraktar TB2/Aksungur drones in 2023
04
UAE's EDGE Group assembled 200+ border security vehicles in 2023
05
Egypt's AOI produced 50 T-90 tanks locally under license in 2023
06
Iran's DIO manufactured 150+ Shahed-136 drones in 2023
07
Qatar ASMP produced 30+ guided missiles in 2023 joint venture
08
Jordan KADDB manufactured 100+ light vehicles in 2023
09
Kuwait KMEFIC produced 20+ patrol boats in 2023
10
Oman Bahwan CyberTek produced radar systems locally 15 units 2023
11
Bahrain produced 50+ small arms at MSG in 2023
12
Algeria produced 40+ T-90S tanks at ATM 2023 under license
13
Iraq State Company for Automotive produced 200+ HMMWV variants 2023
14
Saudi Arabia's SAMI established 5 new factories in 2023 producing composites/ammo
15
Israel's Rafael produced 500 Spike missiles in 2023
16
Turkey's Roketsan manufactured 300+ MAM-L munitions 2023
17
UAE's Tawazun produced 150+ munitions in 2023
18
Egypt's Sakr Factory produced 10,000 rockets 2023
19
Iran's Parchin complex produced 200+ ballistic missile components 2023
20
Israel's Elbit Systems delivered 200+ Hermes drones 2023
21
Turkey's Aselsan produced 1,000+ EO/IR sensors 2023
22
Saudi Arabia invested $2B in domestic MRAP production 2023 via SAMI
23
Israel's Plasan produced 300+ armor kits 2023
24
UAE EDGE Rabdan vehicles produced 250 units 2023
25
Egypt Arab Organization for Industrialization built 20+ fast attack craft 2023
26
Saudi Arabia's MIDHAL produced 100+ training aircraft parts 2023
27
Israel's IAI Tamam division produced 400+ avionics units 2023
28
Turkey's TAI produced 20+ Hürjet trainers 2023 prototypes
29
Iran's HESA produced 15+ Saeqeh fighters upgrades 2023
Interpretation
Domestic Production Interpretation
In 2023, Middle East defense production showed a clear acceleration in indigenous munitions and drone output, highlighted by Turkey reaching 400 Bayraktar TB2 and Aksungur drones while Saudi Arabia scaled up to 500 plus guided munitions and invested $2B to boost local MRAP production.
05 · Category
R&d Innovation23 stats
01
Israel's Rafael Trophy APS installed on 400+ vehicles 2023
02
Saudi Arabia's SAMI launched AI-driven C4I system prototype 2023
03
Turkey's Baykar unveiled Kizilelma stealth UCAV first flight 2023
04
UAE's EDGE developed 500km+ range loitering munition 2023
05
Egypt tested indigenous Temsah-3 MRAP with active protection 2023
06
Iran's IRGC unveiled hypersonic Fattah missile June 2023 range 1400km
07
Israel's Elbit Iron Fist APS tested on sea platforms 2023
08
Turkey's Roketsan SOM cruise missile range extended to 1,500km 2023
09
Saudi Arabia invested $1B in hypersonic R&D via KAUST 2023
10
UAE's GAL produced laser-based air defense system prototype 2023
11
Qatar collaborated on AI drone swarms with Turkey 2023 trials
12
Jordan's KADDB developed anti-drone jammer RF-350 2023
13
Kuwait funded cyber defense AI platform with US $100M 2023
14
Oman's BTSC tested quantum-secured comms prototype 2023
15
Bahrain's CFSD unveiled unmanned surface vessel USV-20 2023
16
Algeria's ACMA developed AESA radar for Su-30 2023
17
Iraq established drone R&D center producing Mohajer-6 copies 2023
18
Saudi Arabia's DYPER hypersonic vehicle test-fired 2023 Mach 5+
19
Israel's IMOD approved $500M for laser weapons R&D 2023
20
Turkey's STM developed Atmaca anti-ship missile serial production 2023 range 250km
21
UAE's HALCON produced Hero-400EC loitering munition upgrades 2023
22
Egypt's IOM developed air-launched cruise missile 2023 range 300km
23
Iran's Shahid Karimi produced anti-radiation missile 2023
Interpretation
R&d Innovation Interpretation
Across 2023, the Middle East’s defense push showed clear acceleration in advanced capabilities, with examples like Rafael’s Trophy APS moving beyond 400 vehicles and multiple hypersonic or AI-enabled projects emerging alongside big investments such as Saudi Arabia’s $1B hypersonic R and D.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Middle East Defense Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/middle-east-defense-industry-statistics
MLA
Lukas Bauer. "Middle East Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/middle-east-defense-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Middle East Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/middle-east-defense-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
58 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level