Most recent Middle East conflicts can be seen partially through the prism of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran
Hawks and hawkers
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that had previously captured the capital, Sana'a
Egyptian security forces have been fighting an insurgency by Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula since the revolution of 2011
Rebels loyal to Islamic State have recently entered Libya's complex conflict. In 2014, both Egypt and the UAE launched air strikes against Isis positions
In 2011, Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed troops after Bahrain's Sunni rulers asked for help quelling pro-democracy protests by the majority Shia population
Iran has given military support to Shia militias involved in the fight against Isis, which made major gains in Iraq in 2014
Mainly Sunni Gulf states have supported Islamist groups fighting Syria's Iran-backed government while also participating in air strikes against Islamic State
Hamstrung by sanctions, Iran’s own arms expenditure has fallen while its rivals in the Gulf have spent unprecedented amounts. The five permanent members of the UN security council have been negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme while also selling arms to its regional rivals. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin recently announced Russia would deliver a long-embargoed missile system to Tehran
KEY
Light
armoured
vehicle
Tank
Submarine
Naval
vessel
Guided
missile
Bomb
Missiles
and guns
Radar
system
Attack
aircraft
Drone
Satellite
Saudi Arabia
Now the world’s largest weapons importer and fourth largest military spender, Saudi Arabia’s aims are shifting from territorial defence to strategic interventionism
$9,796m
$2,592m
2015 projection
2010
Permanent UN security council members are highlighted in grey
Iran
154
2
4,121
3,700
Guided artillery figure includes 21 Patriot systems used to shoot down enemy missiles
US
2,400
1,000
94
Aircraft figure includes 72 Typhoon jets, part of the Salam Project arms deal
UK
55
2
3
100
800
32
32
4
France is the biggest EU weapons exporter to Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
Sweden
Spain
Germany
Canada
France
With its ageing hardware, Iran would be a valuable market if sanctions ended. Russia seems to have this in mind but Tehran lacks the spending power of the Gulf states
UAE
5
$1,712m
$933m
The recently unblocked $800m contract for the S-300 missiles was first agreed in 2007
Russia
The UAE has become more interventionist like its Saudi allies, placing huge arms orders, launching air strikes in Libya and joining the so-called ‘Arab Nato’ coalition
Iraq
1
1
150
6
32
9
1
72
2
106
2
12
10
5,000
78
4-6
The US sale of predator drones to the UAE is the first to a non-NATO state
The UAE’s purchase of a Helios reconnaisance satellite greatly enhances its spying capability
$2,552m
$1,192m
South Africa
Singapore
Netherlands
Italy
Germany
Canada
US
France
Both Iran and the US support Iraq’s fightback against Isis. Its Shia-led government wants even more arms from Washington and questions Saudi regional ambition
Syria
16
6
2
13
24
20
1
36
200
300+
6,500+
Iraq has bought 10 ScanEagle drones which the US used during its own operations in the country
US
5
7
45
1,758
2,300
500
100
6
10
Surface-to-air figure includes 48 Pantsyr-S1 mobile air defence systems, part of a $4.25bn deal
$199m
$369m
South Korea
Pakistan
Iran
Germany
Czech Republic
Russia
Major arms sales to Syria's government have fallen since 2011 although it has reportedly received artillery from Iran and Russia
Egypt
Cruise missiles and surface-to-air systems reportedly sent to the Syrian government during the war
$157m
$288m
Iran
Despite sanctions, Iran has reportedly shipped rocket launchers, small arms and ammunition to the Syrian government
Russia
Despite sanctions, Iran has reportedly shipped rocket launchers, small arms and ammunition to the Syrian government
Egyptian defence spending is climbing steeply as it fights insurgents in Sinai and emerges as a key ally of Saudi intervention in Yemen
14
14
8
4
38
10
139
25
10
125
US recently resumed arms sales to Egypt after a post-coup freeze in 2013
US
Surface-to-air missile systems are part of a$500m deal
3
24
4
18
$1,574m
$824m
Spain
South Africa
Italy
Germany
Russia
The 24 aircraft are Rafale jets that deliver precision-guided bombs
Drone sales are rising as insurgency-type conflicts become the regional norm
France
China
KEY
Light
armoured
vehicle
Tank
Submarine
Naval
vessel
Guided
missile
Bomb
Missiles
and guns
Radar
system
Attack
aircraft
Drone
Satellite
Bahrain
Libya
Yemen
UAE
Saudi
Arabia
Iran
Iraq
Syria
Egypt
Permanent UN security council members are highlighted in grey
2015 projection
2010
Iran has given military support to Shia militias involved in the fight against Isis, which made major gains in Iraq in 2014
Egyptian security forces have been fighting an insurgency by Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula since the revolution of 2011
Mainly Sunni Gulf states have supported Islamist groups fighting Syria's Iran-backed government while also participating in air strikes against Islamic State
In 2011, Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed troops after Bahrain's Sunni rulers asked for help quelling pro-democracy protests by the majority Shia population
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that had previously captured the capital, Sana'a
Rebels loyal to Islamic State have recently entered Libya's complex conflict. In 2014, both Egypt and the UAE launched air strikes against Isis positions
Most recent Middle East conflicts can be seen partially through the prism of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia
and Iran
Hamstrung by sanctions, Iran’s own arms expenditure has fallen while its rivals in the Gulf have spent unprecedented amounts. The five permanent members of the UN security council have been negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme while also selling arms to its regional rivals. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin recently announced Russia would deliver a long-embargoed missile system to Tehran
Hawks and hawkers
14
14
8
4
38
10
139
25
10
125
US recently resumed arms sales to Egypt after a post-coup freeze in 2013
US
Surface-to-air missile systems are part of a $500m deal
11
1
4
18
Egyptian defence spending is climbing steeply as it fights insurgents in Sinai and emerges as a key ally of Saudi intervention in Yemen
$1,574m
$824m
Egypt
Spain
South Africa
Italy
Germany
Russia
The 24 aircraft are Rafale jets that deliver precision-guided bombs
Drone sales are rising as insurgency-type conflicts become the regional norm
France
China
Cruise missiles and surface-to-air systems reportedly sent to the Syrian government during the war
Major arms sales to Syria's government have fallen since 2011 although it has reportedly received artillery from Iran and Russia
$157m
$288m
Syria
Iran
Despite sanctions, Iran has reportedly shipped rocket launchers and small arms to the Syrian government
Russia
16
6
13
24
20
1
36
200
300+
6,500+
Iraq has bought 10 ScanEagle drones which the US used during its own operations in the country
US
?
7
45
1,758
2,300
500
100
6
10
Surface-to-air figure includes 48 Pantsyr-S1 mobile air defence systems, part of a $4.25bn deal
Both Iran and the US support Iraq’s fightback against Isis. Its Shia-led government wants even more arms from Washington and questions Saudi regional ambition
$199m
$369m
Iraq
South Korea
Pakistan
Iran
Germany
Czech Republic
Russia
1
1
150
6
32
9
1
72
2
106
2
12
10
5,000
78
4-6
The US sale of predator drones to the UAE is the first to a non-NATO state
The UAE’s purchase of a Helios reconnaisance satellite greatly enhances its spying capability
The UAE has become more interventionist like its Saudi allies, placing huge arms orders, launching air strikes in Libya and joining the so-called ‘Arab Nato’ coalition
$2,552m
$1,192m
UAE
South Africa
Singapore
Netherlands
Italy
Germany
Canada
US
France
5
With its ageing hardware, Iran would be a valuable market if sanctions ended. Russia seems to have this in mind but Tehran lacks the spending power of the Gulf states
$1,712m
$933m
Iran
The recently unblocked $800m contract for the S-300 missiles was first agreed in 2007
Russia
154
2
4,121
3,700
Guided artillery figure includes 21 Patriot systems used to shoot down enemy missiles
US
2,400
1,000
94
Aircraft figure includes 72 Typhoon jets, part of the Salam Project arms deal
UK
55
2
3
100
800
32
32
4
France is the biggest EU weapons exporter to Saudi Arabia
Now the world’s largest weapons importer and fourth largest military spender, Saudi Arabia’s aims are shifting from territorial defence to strategic interventionism
$9,796m
$2,592m
Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
Swedwen
Spain
Germany
Canada
France
Bomb
Attack
aircraft
Light
armoured
vehicle
Drone
Guided
missile
Radar
system
Tank
Naval
vessel
Satellite
Missiles
and guns
Submarine
KEY
Libya
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Iraq
Syria
Bahrain
Yemen
Egypt
$1,574m
Permanent UN security council members are highlighted in grey
The five permanent members of the UN security council have been negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme while also selling arms to its regional rivals. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin recently announced Russia would deliver a long-embargoed missile system to Tehran
Hamstrung by sanctions, Iran’s own arms expenditure has fallen while its rivals in the Gulf have spent unprecedented amounts
US
38
10
139
25
10
125
Guided artillery figure includes 21 Patriot systems used to shoot down enemy missiles
1
1
150
6
32
9
1
72
2
106
2
12
10
5,000
78
4-6
ASN-209 drones
South Africa
Singapore
Netherlands
Italy
Germany
Canada
US
France
To Syria
To Egypt
24
154
59
2
4,121
3,700
2,400
1,000
94
Aircraft figure includes 72 Typhoon jets, part of the Salam Project arms deal
UK
55
2
3
100
800
934
32
33
France is the biggest EU weapons exporter to Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
Sweden
Spain
Germany
Canada
France
16
1
36
200
300+
6,500+
6
10
5
13
5
24
20
Iraq has bought 10 ScanEagle drones which the US used during its own operations in the country
US
5
2
7
45
1,758
2,300
500
100
Surface-to-air figure includes 48 Pantsyr-S1 mobile air defence systems, part of a $4.25bn deal
South Korea
Pakistan
Iran
Germany
Czech Republic
Russia
The recently unblocked $800m contract for the S-300 missiles was first agreed in 2007
Russia
14
14
8
4
US recently resumed arms sales to Egypt after a post-coup freeze in 2013
US
Surface-to-air missile systems are part of a $500m deal
3
24
4
18
Spain
South Africa
Italy
Germany
Russia
The 24 aircraft are Rafale jets that deliver precision-guided bombs
Drone sales are rising as insurgency-type conflicts become the regional norm
France
China
Cruise missiles and surface-to-air systems reportedly sent to the Syrian government during the war
Iran
Despite sanctions, Iran has reportedly shipped rocket launchers and small arms to the Syrian government
Russia
To Iran
To UAE
To Iraq
To Saudi Arabia
Major arms sales to Syria's government have fallen since 2011 although it has reportedly received artillery from Iran and Russia
$157m
$288m
Syria
Egyptian defence spending is climbing steeply as it fights insurgents in Sinai and emerges as a key ally of Saudi intervention in Yemen
$824m
Egypt
Both Iran and the US support Iraq’s fightback against Isis. Its Shia-led government wants even more arms from Washington and questions Saudi regional ambition
$199m
$369m
Iraq
Now the world’s largest weapons importer and fourth largest military spender, Saudi Arabia’s aims are shifting from territorial defence to strategic interventionism
$9,796m
$2,592m
Saudi Arabia
With its ageing hardware, Iran would be a valuable market if sanctions ended. Russia seems to have this in mind but Tehran lacks the spending power of the Gulf states
$1,712m
$933m
Iran
The UAE has become more interventionist like its Saudi allies, placing huge arms orders, launching air strikes in Libya and joining the so-called ‘Arab Nato’ coalition
$2,552m
$1,192m
UAE
Hawks
2015 projection
2010
Hawkers
Iran has given military support to Shia militias involved in the fight against Isis, which made major gains in Iraq in 2014
Mainly Sunni Gulf states have supported Islamist groups fighting Syria's Iran-backed government while also participating in air strikes against Islamic State
In 2011, Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed troops after Bahrain's Sunni rulers asked for help quelling pro-democracy protests by the majority Shia population
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that had previously captured the capital, Sana'a
Egyptian security forces have been fighting an insurgency by Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula since the revolution of 2011
Rebels loyal to Islamic State have recently entered Libya's complex conflict. In 2014, both Egypt and the UAE launched air strikes against Isis positions
Most recent Middle East conflicts can be seen partially through the prism of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran
Bomb
Attack
aircraft
Light
armoured
vehicle
Drone
Guided
missile
Radar
system
Tank
Naval
vessel
Satellite
Missiles
and guns
KEY
The five permanent members of the UN security council have been negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme while also selling arms to its regional rivals. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin recently announced Russia would deliver a long-embargoed missile system to Tehran
Hawkers
Submarine
Hamstrung by sanctions, Iran’s own arms expenditure has fallen while its rivals in the Gulf have spent unprecedented amounts
Libya
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Iraq
Syria
Bahrain
Yemen
Egypt
The US sale of predator drones to the UAE is the first to a non-NATO state
5
1
1
150
6
32
9
1
72
2
106
2
12
10
5,000
78
4-6
The UAE’s purchase of a Helios reconnaisance satellite greatly enhances its spying capability
South Africa
Singapore
Netherlands
Italy
Germany
Canada
US
France
Major arms sales to Syria's government have fallen since 2011 although it has reportedly received artillery from Iran and Russia
$157m
$288m
Syria
Egyptian defence spending is climbing steeply as it fights insurgents in Sinai and emerges as a key ally of Saudi intervention in Yemen
$1,574m
$824m
To Syria
To Egypt
Egypt
Both Iran and the US support Iraq’s fightback against Isis. Its Shia-led government wants even more arms from Washington and questions Saudi regional ambition
$199m
$369m
Iraq
Now the world’s largest weapons importer and fourth largest military spender, Saudi Arabia’s aims are shifting from territorial defence to strategic interventionism
$9,796m
$2,592m
Saudi Arabia
With its ageing hardware, Iran would be a valuable market if sanctions ended. Russia seems to have this in mind but Tehran lacks the spending power of the Gulf states
$1,712m
$933m
Iran
The UAE has become more interventionist like its Saudi allies, placing huge arms orders, launching air strikes in Libya and joining the so-called ‘Arab Nato’ coalition
$2,552m
$1,192m
UAE
Hawks
2015 projection
2010
Iran has given military support to Shia militias involved in the fight against Isis, which made major gains in Iraq in 2014
Mainly Sunni Gulf states have supported Islamist groups fighting Syria's Iran-backed government while also launching air strikes against Islamic State
In 2011, Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed troops after Bahrain's Sunni rulers asked for help quelling pro-democracy protests by the majority Shia population
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that had previously captured the capital, Sana'a
Egyptian security forces have been fighting an insurgency by Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula since the revolution of 2011
Rebels loyal to Islamic State have recently entered Libya's complex conflict. In 2014, both Egypt and the UAE launched air strikes against Isis positions
24
154
2
4,121
3,700
Guided artillery figure includes 21 Patriot systems used to shoot down enemy missiles
US
2,400
1,000
94
Aircraft figure includes 72 Typhoon jets, part of the Salam Project arms deal
UK
55
2
3
100
800
32
32
4
France is the biggest EU weapons exporter to Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
Swedwen
Spain
Germany
Canada
France
16
5
13
24
20
1
36
200
300+
6,500+
Iraq has bought 10 ScanEagle drones which the US used during its own operations in the country
US
5
2
7
45
1,758
2,300
500
100
6
10
Surface-to-air figure includes 48 Pantsyr-S1 mobile air defence systems, part of a $4.25bn deal
South Korea
Pakistan
Iran
Germany
Czech Republic
Russia
The recently unblocked $800m contract for the S-300 missiles was first agreed in 2007
Russia
14
14
4
38
10
139
25
10
125
US recently resumed arms sales to Egypt after a post-coup freeze in 2013
US
Surface-to-air missile systems are part of a $500m deal
3
Permanent UN security council members are highlighted in grey
24
4
18
Spain
South Africa
Italy
Germany
Russia
The 24 aircraft are Rafale jets that deliver precision-guided bombs
Drone sales are rising as insurgency-type conflicts become the regional norm
France
China
8
Cruise missiles and surface-to-air systems reportedly sent to the Syrian government during the war
Iran
Despite sanctions, Iran has reportedly shipped rocket launchers and small arms to the Syrian government
Russia
To Iran
To UAE
To Iraq
To Saudi Arabia
Most recent Middle East conflicts can be seen partially through the prism of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran
Satellite
Submarine
Missiles
and guns
Light
armoured
vehicle
Tank
Attack
aircraft
Naval
vessel
Bomb
Guided
missile
Radar
system
Drone
KEY
Hawkers
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Oman
Pakistan
Libya
Hamstrung by sanctions, Iran’s own arms expenditure has fallen while its rivals in the Gulf have spent unprecedented amounts
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Afghanistan
Iran
Iraq
Syria
Bahrain
Yemen
Egypt
1
1
150
6
32
9
1
72
2
106
2
12
10
5,000
78
4-6
To UAE
The US sale of predator drones to the UAE is the first to a non-NATO state
The UAE’s purchase of a Helios reconnaisance satellite greatly enhances its spying capability
South Africa
Singapore
Netherlands
Italy
Germany
Canada
US
France
The UAE has become more interventionist like its Saudi allies, placing huge arms orders, launching air strikes in Libya and joining the so-called ‘Arab Nato’ coalition
$2,552m
$1,192m
UAE
5
To Iran
With its ageing hardware, Iran would be a valuable market if sanctions ended. Russia seems to have this in mind but Tehran lacks the spending power of the Gulf states
$1,712m
$933m
Iran
The recently unblocked $800m contract for the S-300 missiles was first agreed in 2007
Russia
24
154
2
4,121
3,700
Guided artillery figure includes 21 Patriot systems used to shoot down enemy missiles
US
2,400
1,000
94
Aircraft figure includes 72 Typhoon jets, part of the Salam Project arms deal
UK
55
2
3
100
800
934
32
59
33
To Saudi Arabia
France is the biggest EU weapons exporter to Saudi Arabia
Now the world’s largest weapons importer and fourth largest military spender, Saudi Arabia’s aims are shifting from territorial defence to strategic interventionism
$9,796m
$2,592m
Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
Sweden
Spain
Germany
Canada
France
24
20
7
500
100
16
5
13
1
36
200
300+
6,500+
Iraq has bought 10 ScanEagle drones which the US used during its own operations in the country
US
5
2
45
1,758
2,300
6
10
To Iraq
Surface-to-air figure includes 48 Pantsyr-S1 mobile air defence systems, part of a $4.25bn deal
Both Iran and the US support Iraq’s fightback against Isis. Its Shia-led government wants even more arms from Washington and questions Saudi regional ambition
$199m
$369m
Iraq
South Korea
Pakistan
Iran
Germany
Czech Republic
Russia
To Syria
Cruise missiles and surface-to-air systems reportedly sent to the Syrian government during the war
Major arms sales to Syria's government have fallen since 2011 although it has reportedly received artillery from Iran and Russia
$157m
$288m
Syria
Iran
Despite sanctions, Iran has reportedly shipped rocket launchers and small arms to the Syrian government
Russia
14
14
8
4
38
10
139
25
10
125
US recently resumed arms sales to Egypt after a post-coup freeze in 2013
US
Surface-to-air missile systems are part of a $500m deal
3
24
4
18
Egyptian defence spending is climbing steeply as it fights insurgents in Sinai and emerges as a key ally of Saudi intervention in Yemen
$1,574m
$824m
To Egypt
Egypt
Spain
South Africa
Italy
Germany
Russia
The 24 aircraft are Rafale jets that deliver precision-guided bombs
Drone sales are rising as insurgency-type conflicts become the regional norm
France
China
Permanent UN security council members are highlighted in grey
Hawks
Rebels loyal to Islamic State have recently entered Libya's complex conflict. In 2014, both Egypt and the UAE launched air strikes against Isis positions
In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that had previously captured the capital, Sana'a
In 2011, Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed troops after Bahrain's Sunni rulers asked for help quelling pro-democracy protests by the majority Shia population
Iran has given military support to Shia militias involved in the fight against Isis, which made major gains in Iraq in 2014
Mainly Sunni Gulf states have supported Islamist groups fighting Syria's Iran-backed government while also launching air strikes against Islamic State
Egyptian security forces have been fighting an insurgency by Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula since the revolution of 2011
2015 projection
2010
The five permanent members of the UN security council have been negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme while also selling arms to its regional rivals. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin recently announced Russia would deliver a long-embargoed missile system to Tehran
Most recent Middle East conflicts can be seen partially through the prism of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran