• Defence Notes

  EDA selects Pilum consortium for EM railgun research

  11th June 2020

  The European Defence Agency (EDA) has selected the Projectiles for Increased Long-Range effects Using Electro-Magnetic (Pilum) consortium to lead research into an electromagnetic (EM) railgun. …

• Defence Notes

  South American countries seek enhanced Antarctic capabilities

  14th July 2020

  Argentina, Brazil and Chile are modernising their Antarctic naval capabilities by building new icebreakers or procuring second-hand vessels. All three countries have scientific and research …

• Land Warfare

  Czechs hold final S-10M2D firing drill

  19th June 2020

  The Army of the Czech Republic on 19 June announced it has conducted its last ever live-fire exercise involving the Cold War-vintage S-10M2D anti-aircraft missile …

• Digital Battlespace

  USMC SATCOM system upgrade outperforms expectations

  10th June 2020

  The USMC Systems Command is in the process of upgrading its tactical satellite system with the latest field user evaluations showing that it has performed …

• Air Warfare

  Runway accident in Iraq leaves USAF C-130H damaged

  9th June 2020

  The Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve confirmed that a USAF C-130H Hercules aircraft overran the runway at Camp Taji AFB, Iraq, on 8 …

• Land Warfare

  Two stages down, three to go with MGCS

  25th June 2020

  France and Germany are striding firmly towards new MBTs to replace the Leclerc and Leopard 2A6 respectively, having signed an 18-month contract in May for …

• Land Warfare

  Two stages down, three to go with MGCS

  25th June 2020

  France and Germany are striding firmly towards new MBTs to replace the Leclerc and Leopard 2A6 respectively, having signed an 18-month contract in May for …

• Digital Battlespace

  Singapore F-16 photo-recon capability breaks cover

  28th May 2020

  Recent imagery reviewed by Shephard confirms a long-range oblique photography (LOROP) sensor capability on Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16s. The images depict twin-seat …

• Training

  UK launches Project VULCAN

  4th June 2020

  The UK is looking to streamline its armour training, through what MoD Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S;) describes as ‘provision of a suite of comprehensive simulator …

• Land Warfare

  China deploys new vehicle types and is developing new 8x8 AFV

  17th June 2020

  The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been busy introducing new artillery platforms, and China is currently developing a replacement for its existing 8x8 armoured vehicle. …

• Digital Battlespace

  Link 16 Breaks New Ground (sponsored whitepaper)

  3rd July 2020

  This whitepaper is brought to you by Viasat Digital Situational Awareness for Dismounted Ground Forces INTRODUCTION Link 16 has evolved as the modern battlefield needs …

• Naval Warfare

  IAI completes LORA firing trial

  3rd June 2020

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on 2 June that it has completed a dual operational firing trial of its Long-Range Artillery Weapon System (LORA). The …

• Air Warfare

  Seoul orders TA-50s, eyes new Chinooks and AEW aircraft

  3rd July 2020

  In South Korea the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has concluded a KRW688.3 billion ($619.5 million) deal for 20 TA-50 Block 2 jets from Korea …

• Defence Notes

  USMC Commandant takes on China (and the Marine Corps)

  16th June 2020

  Some USMC commandants set their sights higher than others. One’s recent crowning achievement was to antagonise marines by forcing them to unroll their uniform sleeves …

• Training

  Australia wants new simulators for M1A2 Abrams

  21st June 2020

  Australia is seeking to improve its training capabilities as the army prepares to upgrade its existing M1A1 AIM Abrams MBTs to M1A2 configuration. The Capability and …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-50 [Thailand]

  The purchase had been earlier approved by the Thai cabinet on 11 July 2017.  AVM Pongsak Semachai revealed that the aircraft would be paid for ...

• Patrol boats

  Multifunctional Support Ships (TRIFC/MICAN) (1-2) [Netherlands]

  Programme Background Requirements In 2022, the Royal Netherlands Navy started The Rapidly Increased Firepower Capability (TRIFC) concept, a study focused on procuring low-manned platforms to augment the firepower ...

• Loitering munitions

  Echelon 2: Ground Organic Precision Strike Systems (GOPSS) [USSOCOM]

  Programme Background Requirements The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has made loitering capabilities a priority in its efforts to support counter-violent extremist organization (C-VEO) operations and ...

• Loitering munitions

  Long-Range Attack Munition (LRAM) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-50 Follow-On [Thailand]

  Programme Background The Royal Thai Air Force  (RTAF) exercised its option to purchase additional two aircraft from an earlier deal. The RTAF purchased four T-50 jets in ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Cobra IFV (Contracted)

  It is unclear how many different variants of the Cobra have been ordered by the TNI-AD, but it is thought that the majority of the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Land 400 Phase 2 - Boxer CRV (Australia)

  Programme Background History The Land 400 Phase 2 programme will procure a replacement for the ASLAV, a derivative of the General Dynamics Land Systems Light Armoured Vehicle ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBC Cav-MSR (Brazil)

  Programme Background Purpose The Brazilian Army's mechanised cavalry regiments are believed to operate approximately 400 EE-9 Cascavel 6x6 fire support vehicles manufactured by the now-defunct ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Cobra (Indonesia - Forecast)

  Programme Background It is unclear how many different variants of the Cobra have been ordered by the TNI-AD, but it is thought that the majority ...

• Maritime patrol

  Long Range Patrol Aircraft [The Philippines]

  Programme Background On 10 July 2023, Elbit Systems announced that it had secured a contract for two long-range patrol aircraft. Although the customer was not ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC (Philippines)

  Programme Background The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its existing fleet ...

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

  Hermes 900 StarLiner [Switzerland]

  Programme Background Contract Information In September 2015, under the Reconnaissance Drone System 15 (ADS 15), the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (VBS) awarded ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8, Tanks

  Tracked & Wheeled Light Tank (Philippines)

  Programme Background The decision to split the programme into a wheeled and a tracked element follows the belief of the Philippine Army that this will ...

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

  Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project [UK]

  Programme Background Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project The British Army launched the RAS project to provide the "direction required to exploit emerging technologies to ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: COMINT and ELINT systems

  SkyFix DF

  The SkyFix DF is a lightweight, high-precision COMINT/DF system covering the 30MHz-3GHz frequency band. It uses a correlative interferometer technique and wide aperture, high-precision antenna ...

• Major networking projects

  ELBIT TIGER

  Tactical Intranet Geographic Dissemination in Real Time (TIGER) is a tactical communications system that integrates media, including legacy and narrowband channels, creating an end-to-end, unified ...

• Land: RWS

  Elbit UT50

  Announced in FQ4 2022, the Elbit UT50 is Elbit Systems of America's latest RWS mounted with a 50mm XM913 cannon. Elbit's development of a 50mm variant ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Torch-X Mounted

  Elbit Systems Torch-X Mounted is a battle management solution that notably includes fire control capability and AI-powered decision support tools. According to news sources, the ...

• Tanks

  ASCOD MMBT

  GDELS unveiled the ASCOD Medium Main Battle Tank (MMBT), a 120mm-armed 42 tonne tank based on its tracked ASCOD IFV, at Eurosatory 2018.  The ASCOD MBBT ...

• Land: Defensive Systems - Gunshot Detection / Hostile Fire Indicator

  SWAD

  Small Arms Fire Warning and Direction (SWAD) is a passive stationary EO system designed to protect high-value infrastructure and strategic areas by detecting small-arms fire ...

• EO/IR systems

  EOFCS-115A

  Electro-optical fire control system (OEFCS) 115A is a compact, precision target tracking system designed for naval environments. The system provides tracking, elevation and range data ...

• Towed guns

  ATHOS 2052

  The 155mm/52 calibre Autonomous Towed Howitzer Ordnance System (ATHOS) 2052 is a towed system offered by Elbit Systems, which acquired artillery manufacturer Soltam in 2010.Equipped ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  AGTS

  The Advanced Gunnery Training System (AGTS) is designed to train individuals, crews and platoons in the skills of precision gunnery. It provides training on procedures, ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  MQ-8B Fire Scout

  The MQ-8B Fire Scout is a rotary-wing UAV that provides situational awareness and precision targeting support for the US Armed Forces. The MQ-8B Fire Scout, ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS

  Unveiled in 1999, the Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) was developed by Soltam Systems (now Elbit Systems) as a private venture to meet the ...

• Self-propelled missile systems

  CA-95

  Developed by Electromecanica, CA-95 is a short range, mobile and amphibious air defence missile system in service with Romanian Army. It is based on 9K31 ...

• Towed mortars

  M120/M120A1

  The M120/M120A1 120 mm Towed Mortar System is a US-built version of the Soltam K6 mortar that was accepted into US Army service in 1990.

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Guarani 6x6 (VBTP)

  Iveco Defence Vehicles developed the 6x6 VBTP-MR Guarani 17-20t-class amphibious armoured vehicle family to meet the requirements of the Brazilian Army. In 2009, IDV signed ...

• Land: manned turrets

  Sabrah

  The Sabrah manned turret system was developed by Elbit Systems in cooperation with the Israel Defense Force's Ordnance Corps and launched in August 2020. Operated ...