• Naval Warfare

  US Coast Guard awaits $350 million to acquire icebreakers

  1st February 2024

  The service has declared its intention to purchase an existing commercially available polar vessel, a new Great Lakes icebreaker and Polar Security Cutters.

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall receives EU funding to boost artillery production for Ukrainian war effort

  26th March 2024

  Rheinmetall has contracts to produce hundreds-of-thousands of artillery shells for Ukraine and new funding from the EU will boost the company’s manufacturing capability.

• Defence Notes

  USMC adapts to new strategic realities caused by Chinese actions and ambitions

  23rd August 2023

  Returning to its roots in many senses, the USMC is working hard to transition to expeditionary operations in the Western Pacific region.

• Naval Warfare

  Is the US Navy’s new DDG(X) destroyer facing cancellation?

  6th June 2024

  The projected costs for the DDG(X) destroyer project are spiralling, its technologies need to be matured and the USN has more pressing priorities. If the programme begins to repeat some of the mistakes made on previous major surface combatant procurements then DDG(X) is likely to face the axe.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing to deliver first US Grey Wolf helicopters this year

  1st February 2024

  Boeing has begun gearing up to deliver the first MH-139A Grey Wolf multirole helicopters to the US Air Force later this year as the branch closes in on a milestone in its UH-1N Huey Replacement effort.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems

  3rd April 2024

  Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.

• Naval Warfare

  Bourgainville LHA launched but future of US Navy amphibious ship procurement remains uncertain

  13th October 2023

  The third America-class Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) ship, Bourgainville (LHA 08), has been launched by Huntington Industries Ingalls (HII) shipyard but this progress comes against the backdrop of a dispute about amphibious ships within Congress and the US defence establishment.

• Naval Warfare

  Brazil’s Navy launches third Riachuelo attack submarine

  28th March 2024

  The ceremony was attended by Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron.

• Air Warfare

  Canada invests in CF-18 Hornet fighter sustainment

  8th March 2024

  Canada’s decision to sustain its CF-18 fighter fleet reflected its commitment to modernising air defence capabilities amid challenges highlighted by a critical report commissioned by the Department of National Defence and released last year, casting doubt on its ability to fulfil NATO obligations.

• Digital Battlespace

  Ukraine taps into its citizens for ISTAR information

  2nd May 2024

  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 saw the country quickly establish a situational awareness system to support targeting and provide information to frontline troops.

• Air Warfare

  Netherlands upgrades MQ-9A Reaper fleet

  2nd April 2024

  The improvements the Dutch MQ-9A Reapers will receive will include maritime radars, extended-range fuel tanks and weapons.

• Air Warfare

  Poland buys air and surface radar systems for $1.2 billion

  8th February 2024

  Poland has remained steadfast in its commitment to bolstering its defence capabilities as it secured a freshly approved Airspace and Surface Radar Reconnaissance deal.

• Training

  BAE Systems and VRAI collaborate on data-driven pilot training

  10th April 2024

  BAE Systems and VRAI have set out to harness the power of data to redefine fast jet pilot training.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract

  4th April 2024

  DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.

• Naval Warfare

  NZ navy receives three Littoral Manoeuvre Craft

  25th October 2023

  New Zealand's navy has received three high-speed craft purchased specifically to support mine warfare and reconnaissance teams.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Otaman (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background Practika first unveiled the Otaman family of 6x6 and 8x8 armoured vehicles in late 2016. These were developed to meet the requirements of ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munition 1 [Taiwan]

  Programme Background 2023 At Taichung in March 2023, NCSIST unveiled the loitering munition. The munition showed the country's focus on asymmetric capabilities to defend itself ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  BTR-4E (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background The Ukrainian Navy is seeking to standardise the armoured vehicle fleet of the Ukrainian Marine Corps in order to simplify maintenance, logistics and ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV (Brazil - 1st Batch)

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Brazil - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  QX-2 (Forecast) [Brazilian Marine Corps]

  Programme Background Four-Day Tour On 3 August 2023, EDGE Group announced that it had hosted a four-day delegation from the Brazilian Marine Crops, showing it ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Large ULS-A / Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) [USMC]

  Programme Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS) / Small ULS-A (US)

  Programme Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  F-5E/F Adversary Trainer US Navy

  The F-5N is a single seat, dual engine supersonic land based fighter. It is designed to a service life of 9000 flight hours. The aircraft ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  BTR-4E Second Batch (Ukrainian Army)

  Programme Background Ukraine began to operate the BTR-4E in 2014, when examples that had been manufactured for the Iraqi Army were pressed into service with ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Unguided Mortar Ammunition

  81mm Flash Bang Munition

  The 81mm Flash Bang Munition is a special-purpose mortar round designed by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command for use by the US Marine Corps. The USMC ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  M795 High Explosive Round

  The M795 High Explosive Round is a 155mm artillery shell manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Archer

  The Archer is an FPV-style loitering munition from Neros. Certified by BlueUAS, the drone is designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, Californa.  In February 2025, 6,000 ...

• Laser pointers

  AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM

  The AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM (Mini Integrated Pointer Illuminator Module) is a multi-function laser pointer that incorporates an IR laser pointer, an IR illuminator, a visible red ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  MCAT

  The Marine Common Aircrew Trainer (MCAT) has been designed to train CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22B Osprey and UH-1Y Venom enlisted aircrew. The single training device ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  RG33

  BAE Systems RG33 is a family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles available in both 4x4 and 6x6. The medium-weight class of BAE Systems MRAP ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  R600

  The R600 8x8 armoured vehicle is an amphibious IFV designed by Panus for the Royal Thai Marine Corps. It completed testing by the marines in ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III

  Sierra Nevada’s AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III is the standard Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) manpack system in service with the US Army and US Marine Corps (USMC). ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  CLWS

  Developed by Boeing, Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS or CLaWS) is a medium-range, low-power laser C-UAS system. According to the reports, the CLWS prototype has ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLT-5 Thor-II

  Sierra Nevada Corporations’s (SNC's) AN/PLT-5 Thor-II Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) system is designed to equip CIED teams and is used throughout the US armed ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Shadow M2

  The Shadow M2 builds on the Shadow 200, but has greater endurance and payload capability, quieter and more reliable propulsion and an optional SATCOM capability ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  6.5mm CT Carbine

  The 6.5mm Cased Telescoped (CT) Carbine is a closed-bolt, forward-feed, gas piston-operated weapon being developed as part of the US Army's Lightweight Small Arms Technology ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV SU

  In May 2014, BAE Systems and SAIC received contracts from the USMC to develop survivability upgrade proposals for a portion of its 1,060-strong BAE Systems ...

• Air: mission management systems

  AFATDS

  Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) is a multi-service (US Army/USMC) joint and combined forces fire support battle command system. It provides automated support ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Fletcher

  Arnold Defense, which has produced more than 1.1 million 2.75in/70mm rocket launchers for airborne applications since 1961, unveiled the Fletcher 2.75in/70mm Weapon System at the September ...