The document summarizes UAV development and procurement in Middle Eastern countries. It finds that the UAE leads the region in indigenous UAV production. Other countries often face restrictions on Western technology and partner with alternative suppliers. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are the most advanced due to resources and infrastructure, while countries like Jordan and Egypt have more limited capabilities and rely on imports. The document reviews individual country programs and notes that non-state actors like ISIS are also developing UAV capabilities.

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Defence Procurement International - Summer 2016
AN MQ-1 PREDATOR AND AN MQ-9
REAPER AT CREECH AIR FORCE BASE
(PHOTO BY USAF STAFF SGT. VERNON YOUNG JR)
UAVs Take Off
The UAE leads the Middle East region when it comes to the indigenous production of
unmanned aerial vehicles. Other countries in the region have sought non-traditional
partners in an effort to gain access to cutting-edge technology.
By Matthew Hedges
International Traffic in Arms Regulations
(ITAR), the Missile Technology Control
Regime (MTCR), as well as political-
military support from within Western
societies, it can be difficult for Middle
Eastern countries to acquire UAV
technology and know-how. As a
result, there is a trend within regional
procurement to explore non-traditional
partners with whom the exchange of
technology can proliferate seamlessly.
In order for a competency of UAV
development to emerge, countries
require sufficient infrastructure and
human capital. It may come as
no surprise that the two countries
that are the most advanced in UAV
development in the Middle East,
are amongst the richest and most
developed: Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Other Middle Eastern countries are
T
he eruption of unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) technology has
become a significant force
multiplier on the battlefield. Ranging
in size from nano- and micro-UAVs,
through to High-Altitude Long-
Endurance (HALE) platforms, the aerial
domain has been changed forever.
The United States and Israel are
pioneering countries in the production
and development of UAV systems.
However, with the growth of commercial
off-the-shelf (COTS) UAV products and
the increasing osmosis of technology
transfer, more and more nations are
producing and developing UAVs.
Middle Eastern nations have started to
experiment with unmanned technology,
with some nations even successfully
exporting domestically manufactured
products. Often restricted by the
utilising unmanned technology, but
there have only been a few attempts
to manufacture and redevelop the
technology for internal usage.
SAUDI ARABIA
Through the Saudi Economic Offset
Programme, IT Research and Innovation
Committee, and more recently the
Science and Technology National Policy
(STNP) and Saudi 2020 vision, it is
increasingly a priority to diversify the
national economy and retain technology
and expertise within the country. UAV
technology was procured within the
kingdom, however its applications
have been largely contained to the
civilian domain. Saudi Arabia’s higher
education facilities have profited from
this focus with the King Saud University,
Riyadh Techno Valley, Prince Sultan
Block 40 UAV (Copyright ADCOM Systems)

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Advanced Technologies and Research
Institute (PSATRI), King Abdulaziz City for
Science and Technology (KACST) and the
King Abdullah University of Science and
Technology (KAUST), all experimenting
with UAV technologies.
The National Centre for Aviation
Technology is a subdivision of KACST
and is responsible for the university’s
development of UAV technology. The
department has manufactured at least
38 vehicles in three variants; Saker 2,
Saker 3 and Saker 4. In addition, they
are working in conjunction with the
Saudi Ministry of Defence to produce a
“super light” UAV, which is reported to
be hand-deployable and weighs less
than 5 kg. The system is rumoured to
be able to fly for 50 km at a height of
3,280 feet, with an endurance of four
to five hours. The UAV’s engine was
developed within Saudi Arabia.
KAUST’s distributed sensing systems
laboratory (DSS), which is part of its
electrical engineering department,
undertakes research into unmanned
technology with a focus on civilian
applications. Saudi Arabia was reported
to have procured an unspecified number
of Chinese-manufactured UAVs in
2014. The Chengdu Aircraft Design
Institute (CADI) in China produced the
Pterodactyl Medium-Altitude Long-
Endurance (MALE) unmanned combat
aerial vehicle—it bears a striking
resemblance to General Atomics’ RQ-1
Predator— which has given the Saudis
an armed unmanned capability. Riyadh
is also reported to be interested in
Denel’s Seeker UAV, however it has not
been publicly confirmed if the UAV was
ever delivered.
Although there have been initial
attempts by the Saudi authorities
to manufacture and develop UAVs
indigenously, it is not clear how seriously
they consider the technology or the
capabilities they could have access
to. Furthermore, as it currently stands,
Saudi Arabia lacks the networked
infrastructure to effectively utilise UAV
platforms. If there was a modernisation
of its information and sensory networks,
Riyadh may be more inclined to invest in
a larger UAV fleet. With the current focus
on the absorption and understanding of
unmanned technology, it has to be seen
what Riyadh will do next.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The UAE is the standout nation vis-à-vis
defence industrialisation in the Middle
East North Africa region. Within the UAV
domain they have specifically focused
on the manufacturing and development
of vertical take off and landing (VTOL),
ISR and armed UAVs. To achieve
manufacturing success in the UAV
domain, the UAE has worked directly
with original equipment manufacturers,
as well as institutional and innovation
entities to facilitate the transfer of
UAV technology.
Through development vehicles such
as Takamul, Mubadala and Emirates
Defence Industries Company, as well
as a number of strategic policies such
as Economic Vision 2030 and the
Abu Dhabi Science, Technology and
Innovation Vision, it is clear that the
UAE has embraced the potential for
unmanned technology.
Emirates Defence Industries (EDIC)—
the united UAE defence conglomerate—
currently owns Abu Dhabi Autonomous
Systems Investments (ADASI) and worked
with Austrian firm Scheibel to co-develop
the Camcopter S-100/Al Sabr VTOL
UAV, which was successfully procured
by the UAE Armed Forces. The UAE
has also procured a number of P.1HH
Hammerhead MALE UAVs from Piaggio
Aerospace. Finmeccanica provides the
ground control stations.
Meanwhile, privately-owned ADCOM
Systems in Abu Dhabi manufacture a wide
range of UAV systems with the Yabhon
Flash-20 MALE UAV, the Hazim-15 MALE
UAV and UNITED 40 MALE; all standout
variants from their inventory. The UAE
has successfully exported the UNITED
40 to international customers with Russia
being one of the countries to procure
the vehicle. Italian firm Finmeccanica
partnered with ADCOM to develop anti-
submarine warfare-equipped UAVs, thus
furthering the development of the UAE’s
UAV industry.
Emirates Advanced Research and
Technology Holding (EARTH) is the only
firm in the UAE that solely focuses on the
transfer of technology and development
of capabilities for both private and public
gain. They have successfully worked with
international firms to co-develop defence-
related technology, including cruise
missiles with Serbia’s Yugoimport.
The UAE education sector has also
witnessed a heightened interest in UAV
development. The Higher College of
Technology, Khalifa University of Science,
Technology and Research (KUSTAR), Abu
Dhabi University and UAE University,
all have dedicated funds and expertise
for the development and understanding
of UAV technology. US firm Northrop
Grumman has worked with a number
of UAE higher education institutions to
undertake an engineering competition
to assist UAE students to develop an
interest and expertise in unmanned
technology. The Unmanned Systems
Rodeo and the Innovation Challenge are
examples of initiatives by the US firm.
The UAE’s advanced network
architecture and clear desire to
accommodate the transformation to
next-generation warfare indicates a
willingness and desire for amplified
UAV capabilities. Due to technical
sensitivities surrounding UAV exports,
it is increasingly likely that the UAE will
continue to explore predominantly US-
manufactured items for its own armed
forces, and second-tier designs for its
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (Copyright ADASI)
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AIR SYSTEMS
(JARS) is the result of a partnership
between KADDB and Jordan Aerospace
Industries. Its Falcon UAV is relatively
primitive in design. It has a maximum
range of 280 miles, navigates through
pre-programmed GPS and is able
to transmit real-time data. JARS also
produces the Silent Eye back-packable
UAV system.
Jordan was gifted Israel Aerospace
Industries’ (IAI) Heron TP and Elbit
Systems’ Skylark tactical UAV from Israel
as Jordan faces a considerable threat
from Islamic extremists. Furthermore,
Jordan has been reported to have
contacted Beijing in regards to the
procurement of the CADI Pterodactyl.
The force multiplier that a UAV can
provide has been acknowledged by
Amman. However, with considerable
budget restraints, its usage has been
de-prioritised by the Jordanian Armed
Forces. Furthermore, given its relatively
simplified communications network,
Jordan is only able to efficiently utilise
medium- and larger-sized UAVs in
combination with partnering nations.
EGYPT
Egypt’s indigenous defence production
is largely constrained to minimising
running costs and producing equipment
and technology for everyday use. High
technology apparatus are not wholly
developed. It is reported that Egypt is
assembling a foreign-designed UAV.
Reports suggest that Chinese-based
ASN Technology Group’s ASN-209
UAV is being assembled in Egypt. The
ASN-209 is a Medium-Altitude, Medium-
Endurance (MAME) tactical UAV. It is
unlikely that Egypt will extensively pursue
UAV capabilities in the short term. There
are few indications that Egypt’s education
sector has highlighted this domain as one
for specific research and development,
which suggests a future reliance on
foreign imports.
ALGERIA
Algeria has explored unmanned
technology due to the increasing need
to overhaul its armed forces after years
of civil war. The Algerian Armed Forces
already possess Denel’s Seeker II UAV
YABHON United 40 block 5 (Copyright ADCOM Systems)
own industry to replicate and co-develop.
A case in point was the UAE’s desire to
purchase General Atomics’ Predator
UAV. But due to US restrictions, it was
only able to import the XP ISR variant. As
a result, the UAE continued to acquire
more Denel Seeker UAVs and to develop
ADCOM System’s UNITED 40 UAV.
Civilian applications for UAVs are being
explored and are in use by the UAE
Ministry of Interior.
JORDAN
Restricted budgets have routinely
hindered the development of Jordan’s
Armed Forces, which resulted in
a growing importance on internal
capability development within the King
Abdullah II Design and Development
Bureau (KADDB), the leader in Jordanian
defence manufacturing. To a large
extent, the organisation seeks to reduce
costs and educate its workforce so it can
independently operate and sustain the
activities of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
Jordan Advanced Remote Systems

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and have recently accepted delivery of
the Seeker 400. Algiers has contacted
the UAE for its UNITED 40, the China
Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
for the CH-4 armed UAV, and Moscow
for the purchase of 30 E-95 target UAVs.
There have also been suggestions that US
firm General Atomics has been contacted
regarding a potential sale. It seems more
likely that Algeria will chose the Emirati or
Chinese models.
There has also been an initial attempt
to develop unmanned technology in
Algeria with the AMEL being developed
alongside Algerian Ministry of Defence
scientists. It is not known if the model
has been manufactured yet, but its
development is an indication of the
awareness of UAV technology and the
capabilities it could bring to the Algerian
Armed Forces.
MOROCCO
Morocco has procured a number of
UAVs for its air force. The National School
of Electricity and Mechanics is the only
stand-out example of UAV development in
Morocco. To date, Morocco has imported
BAE Systems’ SkyEye reconnaissance UAV,
General Atomics’ MQ-1 Predator A and
GNAT reconnaissance UAV, as well as IAI’s
Heron, thus showing like many others an
appreciation for UAV technology.
IRAQ
Iraq’s domestic production of UAVs
remains non-existent, but it recently
procured an unspecified number of
Chinese made CH-4s. The Iraqi armed
forces have used the platform to great
effect against ISIL.
NON-STATE ACTORS
ISIL has continued to advance its
unmanned capabilities utilising COTS
technology (predominantly DJI‘s
quadcopters, X-UAV Talon and the
Skwalker X7 and X8). Evidence suggests
the group has weaponised the UAVs,
using them as single-strike weapons.
In March 2015, US and Jordanian
forces shot down an ISIL drone that
was targeting a US Central Command
forward operating base in northern
Jordan. With non-traditional defence
manufacturers leveling the playing field
in terms of UAV capability development
it remains likely that nations such as
South Africa, the UAE, China and
Russia will be contacted regarding
future purchases. Due to a significant
lack of infrastructure and motivation
to use UAV technology, it is unlikely
that many Middle Eastern states will
look to use larger MALE UAVs, instead
concentrating on smaller, more tactical-
sized platforms.
It is unlikely that any MENA state
(beyond Israel) will gain access to
cutting-edge US technology and will
instead continue to engage with firms
willing to provide a similar capability.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matthew Hedges holds a Masters
Degree in International Relations of the
Middle East from the University of Exeter
and is a PhD candidate at the University
of Durham where he is researching
defence and security policy in the GCC.