Nexter

UAE
Ali Al Mannaei, from Darkmatter cyber business developer to security provider

The architect of Abu Dhabi's sovereign cyber sector, Ali Al Mannaei, continues to keep a low profile while doing business. Still very much involved in Emirati defence networks, he is now consolidating all his security operations within his Al Hamra Group.

Czech Republic
Excalibur Army marches on as Europe's ubiquitous arms broker

Ukraine, Indonesia, Vietnam, Iraq... Excalibur Army has gone from being a reseller of Soviet equipment to becoming a veritable financial facilitator and integrator of arms contracts for a growing number of key countries with tight budgets.

France, Qatar
Nexter-Arquus infantry fighting vehicle on agenda for Al Thani-Macron talks

Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's visit to Paris at the end of this month will focus on defence issues.

China, France, Singapore, Thailand
Ex-Airbus sales execs move onto new Asian pastures

In the Asia-Pacific region, as elsewhere in the world, the aerospace giant has overhauled its sales operations in the wake of anti-corruption investigations. Its former salespeople have branched out into domains that are sometimes far-removed from the aeronautical sector.

France
ADIT edges closer to taking control of DCI

The French corporate intelligence group has made progress in its battle to take over Défense Conseil International and hopes to conclude the first stage of the operation within weeks.

France, Saudi Arabia
French and Saudi space goals could align neatly

In its search for an optical satellite constellation, Saudi Arabia has made changes to its space strategy that could see it form a cooperation programme with French actors in the field.

France, Saudi Arabia
Former PM Raffarin helps Saudi-French Business Council aiming for involvement in MbS's projects

Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the former prime minister who became the French government's envoy for China, has recently made his mark on the Saudi-French business networks. For many French companies, that has resulted in a reorientation of their focus towards Mohammed bin Salman's large-scale plans.

Europe, France, Greece, United States
Indictment exposes SVR industrial spy's former defence partners

While the US Department of Justice's probe into Greek businessman Nikolaos Bogonikolos focuses on goods illegally exported to Russia's intelligence services, the man at the heart of the investigation long worked in the same circles as several European defence groups.

Spotlight | Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
On the run from Mohammed bin Salman, King Abdullah's key arms broker finds refuge in Beirut

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's investigators are still on the hunt for Salah Fustok, the main negotiator of arms contracts with the National Guard under King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. The fugitive agent holds secrets about many Western defence companies' business dealings in Saudi Arabia.

China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United States
Scopa turns away from US and towards Moscow and Beijing, OFAC warned

The Saudi defence firm has abruptly brought all of its operations for the US to an end. Despite clinching a raft of deals with major US and European firms, Scopa has decided to favour a rapprochement between its parent company Ajlan & Bros and Russian and Chinese firms instead.

France, UAE
Paris pulls out all the stops to join MbZ's new networks

Paris is keen to connect with the new central figures of Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan's administration and has been sending officials on networking trips to the UAE to make inroads in Abu Dhabi's political circles and the president's entourage.

The Intelligence Gazette
Mossad attack on Iran, War economy discussed at French National Assembly, Rondot gets a biography, Russian mobilisation, Nippon Foundation head meets the Pope, Russian security council reshuffled

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week, we visit Tehran, Paris, Rome and Moscow.

Israel/IranMossad satisfied by latest operation against Iran

FranceNational Assembly studies defence group financing

FranceIntelligence veteran Rondot gets a biography

RussiaMobilisation and conscription continue to split the elites

Japan/VaticanNippon Foundation president meets Pope Francis

RussiaNikolai Patrushev's inner circle remodelled

France, Germany, United States
Lobbyist Ron Phillips is back in the game promoting French-German land defence interests in DC

With the US defence budget poised for a sharp increase, particularly in land defence, Franco-German consortium KNDS has rekindled its relationship with Republican Ron Phillips, its historical lobbyist in Washington.

France
France seeks Qatar defence cooperation amid tensions

As strains emerge from criticism and legal action targeting prominent Qataris, France's defence ministry is hoping for a breakthrough in defence cooperation with the Gulf country, which has requested help from a French state armament agency to boost procurement.

France, Pakistan
French foreign trade advisers take tentative steps in Islamabad

In a bid to revive a bilateral relationship that has all but come to a standstill, French business representatives in Pakistan are trying to build a new business channel between both countries. Paris, so far, has not lent the initiative much support.