• Defence Notes

  Industry and procurement are up to the challenge of a manufacturing surge, says US Army acquisition boss

  26th January 2024

  US large vehicle defence programmes will have companies extremely busy towards the end of this decade with XM30, M1E3, M10 Booker and robotic combat vehicle likely to be rolling off production this decade and possibly simultaneously. The question is, can industry and the acquisition model handle the surge?

• Naval Warfare

  Is the end in sight for Canada’s painful Joint Support Ship procurement journey?

  1st November 2023

  The launch of the second of two new Joint Support Ships for the Royal Canadian Navy has represented steps forward on a project that has suffered huge delays due to supply chain issues and the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Canada's DND.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2024: Saab's Gripen E sets sights on fighter procurement breakthroughs

  21st February 2024

  Saab can see glimmers of hope for its Gripen E multirole fighter jets, despite facing hurdles in recent fighter procurement competitions, as discussions unfold with Thailand, the Philippines and the Czech Republic.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus boosts UAS portfolio with Aerovel acquisition and vertical takeoff drone

  17th January 2024

  Airbus Helicopters has acquired Aerovel and its VTOL UAS to advance the development of its own platforms including the VSR700.

• Air Warfare

  RAF Typhoon fitted with Leonardo radar designed to enhance capabilities

  17th January 2024

  The ECRS Mk 2 radar set to take the Royal Air Force Typhoon's capabilities beyond traditional radar functions has been fitted onto an aircraft in preparation for flight tests.

• Defence Notes

  Norway improves support chain for Ukraine as US sends more weapons

  3rd January 2024

  As the Ukraine-Russia war enters its third year, both Norway and the US have continued to commit support with the Nordic country improving ease of supply and the US sending $250 million more in equipment.

• Naval Warfare

  UK government defends nuclear submarine fleet after missile misfire

  21st February 2024

  The UK Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) provide the UK with its continuous-at-sea deterrent (CASD) coverage and have done so since 1994. The Vanguards will themselves be replaced by the new Dreadnought-class SSBNs from the 2030s.

• Naval Warfare

  US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian continues protection in the Red Sea

  10th January 2024

  Joint patrolling efforts involving 22 nations shot down Houthi drones and missiles and sunk boats.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2024: More details revealed on Allen-Vanguard Scorpion ECM deal

  6th February 2024

  Allen-Vanguard will supply 68 Scorpion Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems to a NATO ally under a deal which will also include support and training.

• Training

  How close are the US Armed Forces to having super soldiers within their ranks?

  27th December 2023

  Pentagon services are working on projects to increase warfighters’ abilities including brain stimulation.

• Training

  NATO exercise sharpens explosive defeating skills in the face of increasing threats

  13th October 2023

  The exercise took place on land and in the marine environment using EOD UGVs, submarine AUVs and special diving equipment to improve and sharpen the skills of participants.

• Air Warfare

  Azerbaijan completes Turkish Akinci drone procurement

  16th February 2024

  The exact number of Akinci drones acquired by Azerbaijan has remained undisclosed, but estimates suggested the purchase of two or three HALE units.

• Land Warfare

  UAE awards contract to Edge for C-UAS system

  30th January 2024

  Skyshield consists of sensors, 3D radars, EO cameras, direction finders and effectors that have been networked into Edge’s unified C2 system to provide real-time situational awareness, with the ability to automatically detect and engage with drone threats and defeat them using spoofing and jamming solutions, among other key countermeasures.

• Land Warfare

  Northrop Grumman missile interceptor passes test

  1st February 2024

  Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman-Raytheon have been competing for the Next Generation Interceptor programme to defend the US from Intercontinental Ballistic Missile threats.

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall and UK provide more support for Ukraine as Russia gains ground

  19th February 2024

  As the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine edges closer, the resolve of Western countries has been tested in the face of entrenched positions, rising costs, political divisions and the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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/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). ...

• 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 ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  M433 HEDP LV

  The M433 high-explosive dual-purpose low-velocity 40mm round is a medium-calibre ammunition manufactured by AMTEC. The round is designed for use with M203 or M320 Grenade Launchers.