For decades , the Arab Gulf countries have been important markets for Western combat aircraft manufacturers . The Mideast is the single largest export fighter market , accounting for 40 % of $ 38bn of Teal Group ’s $ 130.5bn of fighter sales for 2015 - 2024 , including weapons , support and upgrade work . Over the past year , there have been profound political changes and diplomatic shifts in the region – the linked main article gives a neat summary of the changes , together with a product by product assessment of the impact of these changes .
For decades, the Arab Gulf countries have been important customers for Western combat aircraft manufacturers. The Mideast is the single largest export fighter market, accounting for 29% of $38bn of Teal Group’s $130.5bn export fighter forecast for 2015-2024, excluding weapons, support and upgrade work. Over the past year, there have been profound political changes and diplomatic shifts in the region – the linked Forbes article gives a neat summary of the changes, together with a product by product assessment of the impact of these changes.