A new report from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America proposes strategic collaboration with Middle Eastern allies to localise defence manufacturing, aiming to strengthen regional stability and alleviate Western industrial pressures amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.
A recent report from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America advocates a strategic pivot for the United States and its Western allies: “friendshoring” defenc...
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According to the report published in September 2025, there is a “unique opportunity now to enhance the capacity of our partners in the Middle East, and thus our collective capacity as well.” It suggests adopting a phased “crawl, walk, run” approach. Initial efforts should focus on coproduction of foundational items such as raw materials, artillery shells, propellant charges, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Saudi Arabia and the UAE have set ambitious targets to achieve 50 percent in-country production of defence articles by 2030, reflecting a broader regional push towards self-reliance amplified by geopolitical tensions and economic diversification strategies.
An illustrative example highlighted in the report is pairing Israel’s advanced defence technology sector with Gulf partners’ substantial capital investment and drive to diversify global supply chains. This synergy could accelerate production of directed energy systems—a cost-effective countermeasure to asymmetric threats like drone swarms, rockets, and missile attacks frequently deployed by Iran-backed proxies and Russian forces in Ukraine. Such collaborations would lay the groundwork for longer-term initiatives such as coproduction of air and missile defence interceptors and the joint development of cutting-edge military technologies.
Strategically, the report underscores the urgency of these efforts by pointing to shared adversaries and regional instability. Iran’s alignment with China, Russia, and North Korea not only threatens Middle Eastern security but also risks diverting US focus away from other critical theatres. The proliferation of violent extremism and refugee crises endangers allies in both the Middle East and Europe. Strengthening cooperative defence industrial bases is thus framed as a stabilising force that complements diplomatic efforts such as the Abraham Accords and potential Israel-Saudi normalization.
The report also calls for streamlining the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process, which currently acts as a barrier to efficient technology transfer. Easing administrative burdens and facilitating closer industrial partnerships would accelerate indigenous defence capability building among Middle Eastern partners.
Broader global context reinforces the timeliness of this approach. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows global defence revenues grew 4 percent in 2023 to $632 billion, driven largely by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The increased demand underscores the necessity for expanding production capacity, a challenge facing traditional defence powers such as the US, whose companies saw a more modest 2.5 percent revenue rise compared to a 40 percent surge in Russian defence firms.
Regionally, the Middle East’s defence industrial landscape is rapidly evolving. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have made substantial strides in indigenous production, with entities like the UAE’s EDGE Group expanding their footprint. Turkey’s advances, including the development of fifth-generation fighter jets and increased defence exports, exemplify a regional trend towards self-reliance. The fallout from regional conflicts such as the Gaza war and shifts in alliances following the collapse of the Syrian regime and Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire have further accelerated this push for localised defence capabilities.
‘Coproduction’ efforts in defence are increasingly seen as vital for sharing technological innovation, improving interoperability among allies, and reinforcing collective security frameworks. Deepening such partnerships in the Middle East could serve multiple aims: bolstering US influence, reducing American defence industry burden, and enhancing stability in a historically volatile region.
While the report presents an optimistic vision, the implementation of friendshoring defence production will require careful navigation of political sensitivities, export controls, security considerations, and complex regional dynamics. Nonetheless, by fostering a robust and diversified defence industrial base through collaboration with Middle Eastern allies, the US and its partners may be better equipped to address the multifaceted security challenges of the 21st century.
Source: Noah Wire Services