• Air Warfare

  France’s VSR700 maritime drone flies in operational configuration at sea

  15th May 2023

  Airbus Helicopters and the French armament agency DGA have tested the VSR700 maritime rotary-wing UAS in an operational configuration from a ship at sea for the first time.

• Air Warfare

  Return of the mach: MBDA positions itself to lead European counter-hypersonic development at Paris Air Show

  21st June 2023

  MBDA is leading a consortium of companies seeking to develop a counter-hypersonic interceptor over the next three years with the support of four European countries.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show: France makes decision on medium-range loitering antitank munition

  19th June 2023

  A team consisting of Nexter, EOS Technologie and TRAAK has been awarded a contract to develop an armour-piercing loitering munition with a secondary ISR capability for the French Army.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show: France makes decision on medium-range loitering antitank munition

  19th June 2023

  A team consisting of Nexter, EOS Technologie and TRAAK has been awarded a contract to develop an armour-piercing loitering munition with a secondary ISR capability for the French Army.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show: EOS Technologie showcases French UAVs

  21st June 2023

  At Paris Air Show 2023, EOS Technologie showcased its range of French-designed and manufactured UAVs, including the STRIX-425, a platform chosen for the French Larinae loitering munition project.

• Air Warfare

  Germany announces phasing out of Tiger combat helicopters by 2038, introducing H145M fleet

  15th May 2023

  Germany plans to retire its Tiger combat helicopters by 2038, citing technical problems, and replace them with an Airbus H145M fleet to meet NATO commitments.

• Air Warfare

  Canada to quadruple aerial tanker fleet with nine CC-330 Husky multi-role aircraft

  26th July 2023

  The significant expansion of strategic air-to-air refuelling capability is set to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces' operational reach and enhance its ability to support more missions, with specific focus on the High North.

• Training

  IT2EC 2023: Aeralis and SDTS partner to explore French light-fast jet defence market

  26th April 2023

  The MoU between Aeralis and SDTS will explore light-fast jet aviation services in France, targeting contracts in defence operational training and combat air support.

• Training

  UK-led NATO battlegroup exercise demonstrates robust military power

  16th May 2023

  Exercise Spring Storm showcases the UK-led NATO Enhanced Forward Presence's robust military capabilities in a multinational exercise, bolstering defence and fostering collective security.

• Defence Notes

  UK and France target 2030 for future cruise missile, seek commonality on future fighter weapons

  15th March 2023

  The UK and France aim to deliver a new cruise missile in 2030 as part of the MBDA-led Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) project.

• Land Warfare

  Germany buys additional BvS10 all-terrain vehicles

  24th April 2023

  Germany is procuring an additional 227 ultra-mobile, all-terrain BvS10 vehicles from BAE Systems through a framework agreement.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Navy embarks on assessment phase to arm Type 31 frigates with Mk 41 VLS

  18th May 2023

  This week, the UK Royal Navy confirmed that it intends to equip the future Type 31 frigates with the Mk41 VLS.

• Training

  France buys new sims for its E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft

  20th March 2023

  The full flight simulator procurement falls under the cockpit modernisation programme awarded to Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance.

• Air Warfare

  Why Israel is adding unique new capabilities to its F-35 combat aircraft fleet

  18th May 2023

  Israel has recently tested a number of unique new capabilities for its F-35 fleet, including an extended-range fuel capacity and a precision penetration bomb that can be carried internally by the aircraft.

• Training

  Royal Navy destroyer tests French aircraft carrier’s defences

  11th March 2023

  The exercise was the first significant involvement for HMS Duncan since a major refit, allowing its crew to put training into practice in a realistic scenario.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Mali]

  Programme Background Six Drones On 22 December 2022, Joseph Dempsey, a research associate at IISS, tweeted photographs showing a Baytraktar TB2 adorned with the Malian ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Mi-171Sh

  While the Burkinabe Armed Forces declined to discuss the deal when contacted by Shephard, a Burkinabe military source did acknowledge that the aircraft were being ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Mine-protected vehicles

  Surplus Maxxpro (Bangladesh - First Batch)

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Mine-protected vehicles

  Surplus Maxxpro (Bangladesh - Second Batch)

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

• Special operations vehicles

  Fardier SOV

  Programme Background The French Army's airborne units previously operated 280 Lohr FL500 Fardier utility vehicles to carry heavy equipment. Those vehicles increased the tactical mobility ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Mine-protected vehicles

  UN Peacekeeping Vehicles (Bangladesh)

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires 4x4 armoured vehicles to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the ...

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

  MQ-9 Reaper [France]

  Programme Background Total Procurement In June 2013, Northrop Grumman announced that France had requested the purchase of 16 Reapers plus associated systems from the US ...

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

  MQ-9 Reaper (Replacement Units) [France]

  Programme Background French Reaper Procurement In June 2013, it was announced that France had requested 16 Reapers plus associated systems from the US Government, which ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Wheeled Armoured Vehicles (Sri Lanka)

  Programme Background Requirement The Sri Lankan army operates armoured vehicles from several countries, with Russia and China being its biggest suppliers. Its wheeled APC inventory ...

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

  Parrot Anafi (Singapore)

  Programme Background On 7 February 2022, the Singapore Army posted photographs on Facebook that showed the Anafi UAV used as training devices in a five-day ...

• Minehunters

  Mine Warfare Vessels [France]

  Programme Background Requirements France’s Mine Warfare Vessels programme is aimed at replacing the ageing Eridan-class minehunters. The programme will follow the Future Naval Mine Action System ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

• Data links

  Data links | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: mission management systems

  FINDSAT - BFT System

  Using geo-satellite positioning, Nexter’s BFT system (FINDSAT) is capable of identifying and locating friendly personnel who are not equipped with networked information or radio systems. ...

• Military UGVs

  THeMIS

  Milrem's Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a modular, hybrid UGV.  The vehicle's modular design and open architecture allow it to be reconfigured to ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Mi-8/Mi-17

  The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a twin-engine, multirole, medium helicopter developed from 1960 to meet Soviet military requirements. More than 18,000 examples of the ...

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

  Heron Mk 1

  The Heron, now called the Heron Mk I, is a MALE UAS manufactured by Isreal Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Malat Division. Designed for various missions, including ISTAR and artillery fire ...

• EO/IR systems

  AREOS

  AREOS (Airborne Recce Observation System) is a standoff reconnaissance system designed for tactical and strategic missions. The pod integrates digital technology in its sensor and ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  TopOwl

  The TopOwl binocular helmet-mounted sight and display has been chosen by 16 countries for their army, navy and/or air force attack and transport helicopters. It ...

• Military UGVs

  Probot

  The 4x4 Professional Robot (Probot) is suitable for various applications, both indoor and outdoor, and is designed to carry a payload of up to 700kg. ...

• Frigates

  La Fayette/Kang Ding Class

  The La Fayette-class frigates have a stealthy design and are in service with France and Taiwan, with some variance between the ships on length and ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  HOT 3

  Designed to destroy reactive armour, the HOT (Haut subsonique Optiquement Téléguidé Tiré d'un Tube, or High Subsonic, Optical, Remote-Guided, Tube-Launched) family has demonstrated its multipurpose capability. Tens ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale

  The Rafale is a delta-wing agile aircraft with forward canards, which allow for short landing and slower speeds, powered by two Snecma M88 engines. The ...

• Mine-protected vehicles

  Puma M36 Mk 5

  OTT developed the Puma M36 Mk 5 to meet the needs of African customers for a lower-cost vehicle that offers a greater payload than its ...

• Trainer

  TB 30 Epsilon

  The Socata TB 30 Epsilon is a light truboprop trainer aircraft. The first aircraft flew in 1979 and entered service in 1983. It is in ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MSR1000I

  The MSR1000I is a very-short-range Monopulse Secondary Radar which acts as an IFF interrogator. Equipped with the Mode 5 standard, it is suitable for man-portable and ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Tiger Aircrew Training

  Thales provides Tiger aircrew training solutions for the armed forces in Australia, France and Germany. Thales is currently upgrading the systems under the Tiger aircrew training ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI

  Nexter developed the VBCI to meet a French Army requirement for an infantry fighting vehicle to replace the tracked AMX-10P. The 8x8 design was specified ...