• Defence Notes

  Forewarned is forearmed: Poland fast-tracks procurement and surges defence spending

  23rd March 2022

  Long-standing concerns over potential Russian aggression meant that Poland was already positioned to react to the invasion of Ukraine by raising defence spending and procuring new equipment.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  TB2 enrages Russia and reiterates its value to Ukraine

  7th March 2022

  Could the Ukraine-Russia war be changing the once-held belief that TB2 strike UAVs are only effective in combat against adversaries with minimal air defence capabilities?

• Defence Notes

  Singapore Airshow 2022: Airbus highlights A400M mercy relief track record

  18th February 2022

  A400M missions over recent months included COVID-19 and HADR responses, and the evacuation effort from Afghanistan.

• Training

  Qatar changes tack by basing M-346s in-country for training

  26th February 2022

  Leonardo has confirmed a long-speculated order from Qatar for six M-346 trainer aircraft, which will fly alongside the country’s diverse fighter jet fleet — but will the small Gulf country have sufficient logistical abilities, training footprint and personnel to make effective use of it?

• Air Warfare

  Chinese UCAVs remain popular, but buyer beware!

  9th February 2022

  Chinese continues its strong presence on the international UCAV market, with new models coming on stream. However, not all its customers remain enamoured with their Chinese-bought UCAVs.

• Land Warfare

  India strengthens air defence network with S-400

  25th February 2022

  The S-400 will play a key role in India's national air defence network, but it fears American sanctions, especially as Russia agitates against Ukraine.

• Defence Helicopter

  GE Aviation chases place in New Medium Helicopter programme

  24th February 2022

  Engine manufacturer GE Aviation emphasises maintenance and sustainable fuel benefits as it chases a place in the UK’s New Medium Helicopter programme.

• Defence Notes

  US military aid to Ukraine reaches $1 billion

  2nd March 2022

  President Joe Biden has allocated an emergency $350 million in military aid for Ukraine against the ongoing Russian invasion, as a supplement to the more than $650 million in defensive assistance that the US provided to Ukraine in 2021.

• Naval Warfare

  Once bitten but not twice shy: Iraq revisits idea of buying Italian ships

  2nd February 2022

  There are indications that Iraq may order more surface naval vessels from Italian shipbuilders, despite the tortuous history of procurement between the two countries.

• Defence Notes

  Brazil earmarks strategic partners for 2022-2023 exports

  16th February 2022

  Some unfamiliar names were included in a list of countries Brazil will target for defence equipment exports.

• Land Warfare

  Turkey sets Leopard 2A4 upgrade in motion with no sign of Altay

  10th February 2022

  Technologies used in the delay-plagued Altay MBT programme will be installed on Turkish Leopard 2A4s in a new modernisation programme.

• Air Warfare

  Asian attack helicopter programmes prove less than straightforward

  11th January 2022

  There are several ongoing attack helicopter programmes in Asia, but they are not all proceeding smoothly.

• Defence Notes

  Energetic exports mask modernisation issues for Ukrainian industry

  7th February 2022

  While much attention focuses on the equipment Ukraine is receiving from foreign allies in its current stand-off with Russia, the domestic defence industry has been particularly active in overseas markets.

• Naval Warfare

  Ufuk signals step-change for Turkish intelligence collection

  31st January 2022

  A new so-called test and training ship for the Turkish Navy will actually gather COMINT and SIGINT data for the Turkish National Intelligence Organization.

• Naval Warfare

  US orders more engineering and technical services for SeaSparrow

  4th January 2022

  Japan and the UAE will benefit from the latest SeaSparrow contract for Raytheon.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  Akinci [Libya]

  Programme Background 2022 Reports In October 2022, various Libyan media outlets reported that the country was eyeing a possible procurement from Baykar, possibly the Akinici ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Libya]

  Programme Background Acquired & Lost In 2019 and 2020, the Government of National Accord (GNA) used TB2 units against the Libyanian National Army (LNA). Al Marsad ...

• ISR/special mission

  C-208B ISR [Tunisia]

  Programme Background Requirement The acquisition of the C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft is part of Tunisia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its ISR capabilities in response ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter (Turkey)

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey had already paid $1.4 billion into the programme, while its defence industry has ploughed significant sums into ...

• ISR/special mission

  MC-27J - Algeria

  Programme Background Algeria has a long standing ISR aircraft requirement to support its Beech 1900 fleet comprised of six aircraft. The new ISR fleet is ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Reis Class (1-6) [Turkey]

  Programme Background Turkey is taking delivery of six Reis-class Type 214TN diesel-electric attack (SSK) submarines from German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The new boats ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that the EDA ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT Follow-On (NATO)

  Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that the EDA ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  TCG Anadolu LHD [Turkey]

  Programme Background TCG Anadolu is a Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD) built by Sedef in Tuzla for the Turkish Navy. The vessel, which is the single ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Rwanda]

  Programme Background Media Links In October 2021, online reports emerged linking Rwanda with Baykar's TB2 drone. It was reported that the RFF's ongoing experience conducting military ...

• Fighter - multirole

  TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement Geopolitical factors have spurred aircraft development in Türkiye. With its removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project following the Russian S-400 ...

• Trainer

  KT-1T - Turkey

  In 2007, Turkey bought 40 KT-1 aircraft under a $400 million deal that puts average unit cost estimate around $10 million per platform.The first five ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Ada Class Corvettes (3-4) [Ukraine]

  It was announced in December 2020 that Ukraine had ordered an undisclosed number of corvettes from Turkey. It was later disclosed that the December 2020 ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Ada Class Corvettes (3-4) [Ukraine]

  It was announced in December 2020 that Ukraine had ordered an undisclosed number of corvettes from Turkey. It was later disclosed that the December 2020 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Turkey]

  The Turkish Nay is seeking a New Generation Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to replace turboprop-powered ATR-72-600 and CN-235 aircraft. Turkey intends to commission jet engine-powered ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Bayraktar Mini

  The Bayraktar Mini UAS is used for short-range ISR applications and can be deployed in harsh environments. It is hand launched and is powered by ...

• Trainer

  SF-260

  The SF-260 is a piston-engined or turboprop-powered screener/primary trainer that made its first flight in July 1964. It is a single-engine, low-mounted, cantilever-wing aircraft with ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ACV-15

  The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) is the generic designation for a tracked, diesel engine powered, heavy armoured platform in the 13-15 tons class, capable of ...

• Fighter - ground attack

  Su-24

  The Su-24 (NATO reporting name Fencer) is a fighter-bomber aircraft designed to meet Soviet Air Force requirements to replace the Yak-28. Its variants include tactical ...

• 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-to-surface missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  Brimstone

  MBDA developed the Brimstone missile to provide an air-to-surface missile to equip UK RAF Tornados. The Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB) semi-active laser and the millimetre-wave, ...

• Mine-protected vehicles

  Kirpi I/Kirpi II

  The Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) selected BMC's 350-16 Z Kirpi (Hedgehog) 4x4 MRAP vehicle to meet its requirements following a competitive evaluation and ordered ...

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

  Kargu

  The Kargu, or Kargu-2, is a quadcopter loitering munition and UAS manufactured by Turkish company STM. The platform is designed for asymmetric warfare or anti-terrorist ...

• Tanks

  Upgraded M60

  IMI's Upgraded M60, originally known as the Sabra, is rooted in the company's experience upgrading M48 and M60 MBTs to the Magach standard for the Israel ...

• Frigates

  Koni Class (Project 1159)

  Koni (Project 1159) frigates, as well as serving with the USSR, were sold to Algeria, Bulgaria, Cuba, East Germany, Libya and Yugoslavia. All have been ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Dana-M1 CZ

  The Dana was developed in the 1970s by Konštrukta Trencín to provide the Czechoslovakian government with a locally built alternative to Soviet artillery systems. More ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16

  The Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16 is an interceptor craft designed by Yonca Onuk JV. A number of units are currently on active duty ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Puma 4x4

  The Puma family of 4x4 and 6x6 light armoured vehicles was developed by CIO to meet the requirements of the Italian Army. The first prototype ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PW127F turboprop

  The Pratt and Whitney Canada PW127F turboprop was certified in 1996 and powers ATR 72 and ATR 42 aircraft which are used as maritime patrol aircraft ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  Anadolu Class LHD

  The Anadolu class consists of one Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) being built for the Turkish Navy, TCG Anadolu. The vessel was commissioned in April 2023. The contract ...