Rising Interest in Directed-Energy Weapons in the Gulf Region

The Gulf region is seeing an increasing interest in directed-energy weapons, a cutting-edge technology that Israel has pioneered with its Iron Beam system. As military capabilities evolve, traditional missile defense systems are becoming increasingly expensive and inefficient. This has driven many countries in the region to explore more advanced, cost-effective solutions.

Israel, with its Iron Dome system, has already demonstrated its ability to intercept rockets using kinetic missiles. Now, the Israeli defense company Rafael is advancing the development of the Iron Beam, a directed-energy weapon designed to complement the Iron Dome. The Iron Beam utilizes lasers to target incoming threats, focusing multiple small beams on the most vulnerable points of missiles and drones, rendering them useless.

The Iron Beam, which is expected to be deployed later this year, represents Israel's move towards integrating directed-energy weapons into its defense infrastructure. At the 2023 IDEX trade show in Abu Dhabi, Rafael showcased a mock-up of the Iron Beam, signaling that it may look to export the system to regional buyers.

Despite the allure of directed-energy weapons, political and logistical challenges hinder the widespread adoption of the technology in the Gulf. Sasha Bruchmann, a research fellow at the Bahrain office of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), recently pointed out that while Saudi Arabia has reportedly purchased a Chinese-made laser counter-drone system, and the United Arab Emirates is also exploring the development of laser weapons, these countries are not cooperating on a regional level to develop such systems.

The high political stakes of purchasing Israeli technology may make Gulf nations hesitant to engage in arms deals with Israel at this time. Bruchmann also noted that the range of the Iron Beam’s laser is currently limited to only a few kilometers, and scaling the system to protect large areas would be a challenge.

In related news, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's recent trip to Asia has proven to be a significant milestone for Turkish defense diplomacy, bringing new business opportunities for Turkish defense companies and bolstering regional defense cooperation. With key stops in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, Erdoğan’s visit marked the beginning of a series of defense-related agreements that will have a lasting impact on both Turkish defense exports and regional security.

The trip began in Malaysia, where 11 agreements were signed between Turkish and Malaysian officials. A key development was the signing of a preliminary acceptance letter for the procurement of multipurpose mission ships between Desan Shipyard and the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs. Although the commercial value of the deal was not disclosed, the vessel is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2027.

This deal complements Turkey’s ongoing LMS batch 2 corvette project led by STM Shipyard, further deepening military cooperation between the two nations.

Turkey and Indonesia Forge Stronger Defense Ties

In his second stop, Erdoğan visited Indonesia, where he secured 13 new agreements, including a landmark joint venture pact between Baykar and Republikorp. The collaboration aims to establish a drone manufacturing facility in Indonesia, with a focus on localizing production and maintenance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

This deal is expected to not only strengthen Indonesia’s UAV capabilities but also enhance the bilateral defense relationship between Turkey and Indonesia.

Erdoğan’s visit has opened doors for Turkish defense companies to tap into lucrative markets in Asia, where the demand for advanced defense technology is growing. With both Malaysia and Indonesia investing in Turkish-designed vessels and drones, the region is positioning itself as a key player in the global defense landscape. Furthermore, these agreements signify a deeper strategic partnership between Turkey and key Asian nations, with a focus on enhancing local defense capabilities and fostering technology transfer.