Agnes Helou

Agnes Helou is a Middle East correspondent for Defense News. Her interests include missile defense, cybersecurity, the interoperability of weapons systems and strategic issues in the Middle East and Gulf region.

All Stories By Agnes

Egyptian defense expo highlights homemade tech to counter small drones

The Arab Organization for Industrialization and Benha Electronics each showed off their locally made systems.

29 hours ago

Egypt unveils locally made drones at EDEX 2021

The show was scheduled to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

4 days ago

Al Tariq boosts Mk 83 bomb’s range and precision

Al Tariq has integrated a long-range precision-guided munitions kit onto a 1,000-pound high-speed, low-drag Mk 83 bomb, giving it the lonest range of its kind worldwide at 120 kilometers, the Emirate company told Defense News.

Emirati conglomerate unveils two drones and a weapons system

Emirati conglomerate Edge Group has unveiled a series of vertical-takeoff-and-landing drones as well as a precision-guided munition system.

Thailand becomes first foreign customer of AT-6 light-attack aircraft

Thailand’s deal with the American company on the first day of the Dubai Airshow makes it the first international customer of the light attack aircraft.

Dubai Airshow team aims to help aerospace sector recover from pandemic

Amid a decline in aerospace sector revenues caused by the coronavirus pandemic, organizers hope the event will contribute to the industry’s recovery and shape its future.

UAE pursues better border security collaboration, more domestic capabilities

The United Arab Emirates has created a new border security organization to improve coordination between its seven emirates and their array of capabilities, which the country hopes to bolster with locally made systems.

Abu Dhabi’s dilemma: Will the UAE ever operate the F-35?

Talks over tech agreements. Debates about system integration. Concerns over cooperation with China and Russia. These are some of the pressure points involved in negotiations between the UAE and the U.S. over an F-35 deal.

Lebanon’s four border regiments prepare for new phase in filling security gaps

Lebanon is to begin the second phase of a two-step process to fill security gaps along its border with Syria, the head of Lebanon’s Joint Border Security Committee has told Defense News.

In a first, NAVCENT integrated unmanned surface vessels with manned assets

Task Force 59 integrated MANTAS T-12 unmanned surface vessels with manned U.S. patrol craft and Bahrain Defense Force maritime assets during its New Horizon exercise this week.

Bell rolls out first AH-1Z helicopter for Bahrain

Textron subsidiary Bell has completed the first of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for Bahrain, delivering it to U.S. Naval Air Systems Command as part of a 2019 Foreign Military Sales contract.

Oshkosh wins $16M deal to boost military mobility for Iraq, Lebanon and Malaysia

Oshkosh will provide three types of Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks as well as Heavy Equipment Transporters.

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Cyber leaders' methods evolve for a new era

A paradigm shift in cybersecurity

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Missile Defense Agency picks 2 vendors for hypersonic weapon tracking sensor prototypes