MIDDLE EAST MODERNISATION

It has been 26 years since Operation Desert Storm saw an unprecedented gathering of air power in the Persian Gulf. Since then, the region’s air forces have strengthened and modernised to meet potential new threats, including a nuclear-capable Iran, along with the rise of Islamist terrorism. Alan Warnes charts their progress. GCC AIR FORCES PART 1 The Royal Saudi Air Force is the most powerful air arm in the GCC. Here, a pair of singleseat Saudi Typhoons from 3 Squadron