• Training

  Italian Army receives initial UH-169Bs

  13th July 2020

  Leonardo has delivered its first UH-169B basic training helicopters to the Italian Army, as part of the broader AW169MA Light Utility Helicopter acquisition programme. ‘Two AW169 …

• Land Warfare

  Czech IFV procurement survives the axe

  21st July 2020

  Funding for core Czech Army modernisation programmes will remain uncut despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. A Czech MoD spokesman confirmed to Shephard that Prime Minister …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Heron TP for Germany takes to the skies

  27th July 2020

  The Israeli MoD on 26 July claimed a ‘significant milestone’ in the German programme to lease and operate the Heron TP UAS, when the first …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  SpearUAV introduces the Ninox family

  6th August 2020

  SpearUAV has launched the Ninox family of encapsulated drones that can be launched manually or from a grenade launcher by individual soldiers, as well as …

• Land Warfare

  LMUK expects to seal Warrior deal next year

  20th July 2020

  Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK) expects to sign a £800 million ($1 billion) sole-source contract in 2021 for the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP).  Currently, the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Airbus delays UK Zephyr HAPS flight tests

  7th August 2020

  COVID-19 restrictions have forced Airbus Defence and Space to postpone Zephyr High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) Operational Concept Demonstrator (OCD) flight trials, which were originally scheduled for summer …

• Naval Warfare

  Can the UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy be deemed a success?

  14th August 2020

  Nearly three years have passed since the publication of the UK MoD’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, a navigational map intended to revitalise naval manufacturing and create a …

• Land Warfare

  Poland embarks on quest for better VSHORAD

  2nd July 2020

  The Polish MoD Armament Inspectorate is procuring a new mobile very short range (VSHORAD) air defence system for the Polish Army under the Sona programme. …

• Digital Battlespace

  Airbus DS gains Skynet 6A contract

  22nd July 2020

  The UK MoD on 19 July confirmed a £500 million ($637.34 million) contract with Airbus Defence and Space (DS) for the Skynet 6A SATCOM platform. …

• Naval Warfare

  Peru enlarges OPV fleet

  28th July 2020

  Two new OPVs have been commissioned for the Peruvian Coast Guard in a ceremony at the SIMA Chimbote shipyard. BAP Río Tumbes and BAP Río …

• Land Warfare

  ​UK MoD awards WFEL first contract for Boxer programme

  17th July 2020

  The UK MoD awarded WFEL the first official sub-contract for the production of 500 Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicles, according to a 16 July announcement. WFEL …

• Land Warfare

  British Army receives first batch of vehicles under Ajax programme

  30th July 2020

  After experiencing delays to the Ajax programme, the British Army has announced the delivery of the first batch of vehicles.The six Ares variants were handed over to …

• Training

  UK Strategic Command extends JCAST contract with MASS

  27th July 2020

  Cohort subsidiary MASS will continue support for UK Strategic Command under a new Joint Command and Staff Training (JCAST) contract. The latest two-year deal is …

• Air Warfare

  First batch of Rafales reaches India

  29th July 2020

  Amidst a tense standoff along the border with China, the first five Rafale fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) touched down at Air Force Station Ambala …

• Land Warfare

  Kongsberg and Patria sign turreted mortar teaming agreement

  30th June 2020

  Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a teaming agreement with Patria Oyj which will set out a framework for providing a turreted mortar solution for …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport

  Medium Transport Aircraft (DROP) [Poland​]

  Programme Background Requirement Poland acquired the C-130E Hercules over a decade ago under the US FMS programme. Deliveries started in 2009 and ran through to ...

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

  Action Plan of the Georgian Defence Force (FlyEye) [Georgia]

  Programme Background Action Plan of the Georgian Defence Forces 2020-30 In July 2021, the Georgian Minister of Defence, Juansher Burchuladze, outlined the country's military modernisation plan. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Gryf [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirements The Polish MoD identified the need for several ingeniously produced UAVs to provide ISTAR and strike capabilities for its armed forces at the ...

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

  FlyEye (Future Contracts) [Poland]

  Programme Background Previous Contracts Poland has acquired FlyEye over many years. In December 2018, WB Group announced receiving an initial PLN10.3 million ($2.852 million) contract to supply ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Gladius [Poland]

  Programme Background Contract Signing On 6 May 2022, the Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, the president of the WB GROUP, Piotr Wojciechowski and the head ...

• Tanks

  Wilk

  Programme Background The Wilk programme was included in the Polish MoDs Technical Modernisation Plan of the Polish Armed Forces for 2021-2035. It was primarily aimed ...

• Frigates

  Miecznik (Swordfish) Programme (1-3) [Poland]

  Programme Background Polish Armament Group is a consortium that was tasked with the development of the Miecnik class coastal defence vessels for the Polish Navy. ...

• Tanks

  K2 [Poland - Phase I]

  Programme Background Requirement Poland's K2 purchase is the successor of the Wilk programme which aimed to replace the country's Soviet-era T-72 and PT-91 MBTs with a ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirement Under the Gryf programme, the Polish MoD identified the need for an indigenously produced MALE UAV to provide ISTAR and strike capabilities at ...

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

  RQ-21A Blackjack - Additional Units (Poland)

  Programme Background Known First Procurement As covered by another entry (see 'RQ-21 Blackjack (Poland)' programme), the Polish government ordered a single RQ-21A system via the ...

• Tanks

  M1A1 Abrams [Poland]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2022 Poland donated over 240 units of its T-72 MBTs to Ukraine, creating the need for a stopgap solution before the ...

• Tanks

  K2 [Poland] - Phase II

  Programme Background Requirement Poland's K2 purchase is the successor of the Wilk programme which aimed to replace the country's Soviet-era T-72 and PT-91 MBTs with a ...

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

  Cougar 4x4 (Poland)

  Programme Background Asides from 45 ex-US Oshkosh M1240A1 MRAP-All Terrain Vehicles (MATVs) operated by Polish Special Forces units, the Polish Armed Forces do not operate ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Serwal Wheeled Armoured Vehicle

  Programme Background The existence of the Serwal programme was first revealed in May 2020, when the Secretary of State at the Polish MoD informed the ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  NBPWP Borsuk (Poland)

  Programme Background One of the highest priority equipment procurement programmes for the Polish MoD is the procurement of a new, NATO-standard platform to replace around ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  PGZ-19R

  The PGZ-19R is a low--altitude, short-range tactical fixed-wing UAV. Based on the E-310 demonstrator, the platform has been designed to carry ISR sensors, search and rescue and ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW149

  The AgustaWestland 'AW149' is an 8t-class multirole battlefield helicopter developed by AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) launched in 2006, making its maiden voyage in 2009. For combat ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  FA-50

  Based on the T/TA-50 trainer/light attack aircraft, the FA-50 is further developed and upgraded with a tactical data link, precision-guided munitions, and a self-protection subsystem. ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Krab

  Poland selected a modified version of the BAE Systems AS90M Braveheart 155mm/52cal turret to meet its requirement for a new SPH. Poland’s HSW is prime ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  BSP-U

  The BSP-U, or Gladius/Gladius 2, is a Polish-made UAV. Defence 24 confirmed that the platform is not a loitering munition, suggesting that it could be a UCAV or a striking ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Ship-launched torpedoes, Submarine-launched torpedoes

  Mk-48 ADCAP

  The Mk-48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) is the improved version of the Mk-48 family. Development started with the Mk-48 Mod 5 and continues to the present ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM, Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  R&S M3SR Series4400

  Rohde & Schwarz M3SR Series4400 is a VHF/UHF radio system designed for stationary and shipborne applications. It offers several proprietary frequency-hopping waveforms as well as data link ...

• EO/IR systems

  LRF Mod 4EC/6EC

  The Mod 4EC and Mod 6EC were designed specifically for remotely operated small platforms. The modules can be attached to Mini-Typhoon, CLAWS and other systems ...

• Land: RWS

  ZSSW-30

  The ZSSW-30 is an unmanned turret developed by a consortium of Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) and WB Electronics. Armed with a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm coaxial machine ...

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

  FlyEye

  WB Group manufactures the FlyEye, a hand-launched mini-UAS designed to provide reconnaissance capabilities.  With a modular configuration and the ability to host more than one payload, ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  C-27J Next Generation MPA

  Developed by Leonardo, the C-27J MPA is the Maritime Patrol version of the C-27J NG transport aircraft. While retaining the key characteristics of the transport ...

• Tanks

  Challenger 2

  The 120mm-armed Challenger 2 MBT was introduced into British Army service in 1994 as a replacement for the Challenger 1, which was successfully employed in ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  R35010

  The Radmor R35010 personal role radio is a handheld, lightweight radio intended to operate in a small radio network between combat team members.  The R35010 ...

• Commercial Air Services

  Draken International, based at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, maintains what is claimed to be the largest fleet of privately owned tactical aircraft in ...