• Land Warfare

  US Army is close to producing 80,000 155mm shells per month

  8th February 2024

  Investments in its Organic Industrial Base have enabled the service to surge the manufacturing of artillery ammunition.

• Air Warfare

  Northrop and Mitsubishi partner to enhance Japan’s air and missile defence network

  23rd January 2024

  The partnership between Northrop Grumann and Japan's Mitsubishi Electric will set out to integrate advanced solutions facilitating seamless sharing of target information among the Japanese Army.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Autonomous navigation drives UUVs proliferation in the Indo-Pacific

  7th March 2024

  The US Department of Defence has teamed up with Anduril Industries to develop advanced AI-driven long-range uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs), countering China’s escalating UUV advancements.

• Land Warfare

  UK’s Light Fires Platform completes first phase

  20th February 2024

  The Royal Artillery’s Light Fires Platform has been put forward as a potential replacement for the towed 105mm L118 Light Gun.

• Training

  NATO to conduct largest exercise since end of Cold War

  23rd January 2024

  NATO has announced the launch of its largest exercise in decades in a move that Russia has viewed as an “irrevocable return” of Cold War era positions.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: CAE and Cubic to mix live training with virtual at US Navy base in 2024

  29th November 2023

  Cubic and CAE announced the establishment of the Next Generation Advanced Training Environment (NXTGEN8) at the US Navy Guam base, delivering a live, virtual and constructive (LVC) training solution.

• Land Warfare

  UK DragonFire laser weapon completes successful test

  19th January 2024

  DragonFire, a new laser weapon system built for the UK MoD, was first unveiled at DSEI 2017 in London during its design phase. For the development work, MBDA has grouped expertise from Leonardo, QinetiQ, MBDA, Arke, BAE Systems, Marshall and GKN.

• Air Warfare

  RAF fighter pilot training situation is “unacceptable” for UK taxpayer, says industry official

  14th March 2024

  While the head of the Royal Air Force admits the ongoing issues with the service's ability to train its fighter pilots, no concrete plans were put in place to resolve the problem. What steps could the RAF take to ensure the readiness of its pilot force for future challenges?

• Naval Warfare

  Netherlands selects Barracuda submarine as Australia looks on

  20th March 2024

  With the Netherlands selecting the Barracuda design for its new Orka-class submarines, it will give Australia a chance to see what it could have had after it cancelled its conventional submarine (SSK) project based on Barracuda, opting instead for a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN).

• Air Warfare

  South Korea fortifies defence against nuclear threat and fighter shortfall with more F-35s

  3rd January 2024

  South Korea has formalised its plans to expand its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

• 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?

• Land Warfare

  Poland places $381 million order for Jelcz tracks

  22nd December 2023

  South Korea’s Hanwha Defence confirmed in November 2022 that Poland had placed an order for 218 K239s and 23,000 rockets in a contract estimated at US$6.1 billion. In February 2019 the Polish government announced its intention to sign a contract for HIMARS worth $414 million.

• Defence Notes

  Can the Pentagon counter China and Russia’s weapons of mass destruction?

  14th November 2023

  The recent advances in military programmes in China, Iran, North Korea and Russia has put US capacity to counter nuclear and biological threats in check.

• Naval Warfare

  US government seeks an additional US$55 billion to support Israel and Ukraine

  9th November 2023

  The Biden administration plans to supply a US$44.4 billion defence package to Kyiv and a $10.6 billion to Jerusalem to address the critical security needs of both countries.

• Naval Warfare

  Austal USA awarded $867 million for three hospital ships

  22nd December 2023

  The US Navy’s new Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) will be designated Bethesda Class EMS and first of class will be called USNS Bethesda.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - multirole

  MCH-101 [Japan]

  Programme Background At the time of the 2023 signing , Japan had a fleet of 10 MCH-101s and three CH-101.The KHI MCH-101 helicopter is a version ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Hurkus C (Niger)

  Programme Background  In late April 2021, TAI President and CEO Temel Kotil claimed in an interview with CNN Turk TV that an export customer for Hürkuş-C had ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Stryker (North Macedonia)

  Programme Background In its Long-Term Defence Capabilities Development Plan (LTDCDP) published in 2019, the North Macedonian MoD outlined plans to acquire Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Light Protected Mobility Vehicles [North Macedonia]

  Programme Background The acquisition of an LPMV to equip the North Macedonian Armed Forces' Light Infantry Battalion Group (LIBG) is considered the most urgent priority for ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Data links

  Data links | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• 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 ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Programme Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Second Hand Maestrale Class [Ecuador]

  The Ecuadorian Navy urgently needs to replace its ageing Leander-class frigates, which are almost inoperative due to the high maintenance and logistic costs. In early 2024, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Second Hand Maestrale Class [Ecuador]

  The Ecuadorian Navy urgently needs to replace its ageing Leander-class frigates, which are almost inoperative due to the high maintenance and logistic costs. In early 2024, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

• Data links

  Data links | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Major networking projects

  BCS

  Battle Control System (BCS) is a USAF Acquisition Category 1 major automated information system programme that provides air sovereignty C2 for the North American Aerospace ...

• Major networking projects

  BCS-F

  Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F) is a replacement for the fixed sites for the Region/Sector Air Operations Center, also known as Region Air Operations Center-Air Defense ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  TW-860 TSM Sprit

  TrellisWare TW-860 is a MANET-capable software-defined radio designed specifically for body wearable applications. It provides voice and data connectivity in a small form factor, featuring ...

• Light UGVs

  PackBot

  PackBot, previously designated 510 PackBot, is a tracked, tactical, mobile UGV with forward-articulated flippers that can perform multiple missions. PackBot is being delivered to customers ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  TW-135 TSM Shadow

  TrellisWare TW-135 is a MANET-capable, high-power radio designed for manpack, vehicular, fixed-site and airborne applications. Marketed as a networking radio, it provides high-speed voice, video ...

• Land: air defence radar

  JLENS

  The Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS), often referred to as the "Spy Balloon", was a tethered aerial detection system ...

• Ultra-light UGVs

  FirstLook

  The Endeavor Robotics (now FLIR Systems) FirstLook is a tracked, compact, rugged, expendable and lightweight robot that provides situational awareness, performs persistent observation and investigates ...

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

  Multirole UAV

  North Korea unveiled two drones at the Weapons and Equipment Exhibition 2023 in Pyongyang on 2 August 2023. One drone closely resembled General Atomics' (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper, and, ...

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

  Predator XP

  The Predator XP is an updated unarmed version of the original Predator UAV that the US government has licensed for sale to a broader customer ...

• Trainer

  T-34 Mentor

  The T-34 Mentor is a trainer aircraft developed by Beechcraft (now Raytheon) to meet the requirements of the USAF and USN to replace the North American ...

• Fighter - ground attack, ISR/special mission

  Hürkuş-C

  The Hürkuş-C is a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries based on the Hürkuş trainer to meet the requirements of the ...

• Loitering munitions

  PS Killer (PSK)

  The PS Killer (PSK) is a throw-and-forgot loitering munition developed by an American startup, XDOWN.  Uniquely, the system is shaped like a size 7 American football and is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F/A-18A/B

  The F/A-18 Hornet A and B aircraft, or F-18A/B ('CF-18' in Canada and 'EF-18' in Spain), were the first models in the USN’s line of ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  Drone Killer

  The Uconsystem Drone Killer was unveiled in October 2015 and was developed in response to a UAV threat from North Korea, which saw four North ...

• Artillery rockets

  CGR80

  CGR80 is a 239mm guided artillery rocket developed by South Korean Hanwha for K239 Chunmoo MLRS as the main effector.