• Naval Warfare

  Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD

  16th April 2024

  A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.

• Land Warfare

  First Babcock-made Jackal 3 to roll out in March

  1st February 2024

  The High Mobility Transporter (HMT) range of vehicles, developed in the 1990s, has been available in 4x4 HMT 400, 6x6 HMT 600 and convertible Extenda configurations. Known as Jackal in UK service, a new substantially improved Jackal 3 has been unveiled.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed says Israel will buy third squadron of F-35s in coming months

  23rd February 2024

  Lockheed Martin has revealed insights into the latest developments surrounding the F-35 programme, from pending Letters of Acceptance (LoAs) with Israel and Greece, to ongoing Tech Refresher 3 upgrades.

• Air Warfare

  Leonardo and Textron pitch M-346N for upcoming US Navy T-45 replacement

  30th April 2024

  Leonardo and Textron’s joint effort to introduce the M-346N aircraft into the US Navy’s training programme has promised to offer a proven efficient training enterprise as the T-45 replacement.

• Land Warfare

  UK starts to move on Land Mobility Programme

  25th January 2024

  The UK, which has battled in its efforts to replace its Land Rover fleet along with a diverse range of other vehicles, will restart attempts to engage with industry before the end of the year.

• Land Warfare

  Thales puts Bushmaster and Hawkei in the frame for UK vehicle requirements

  23rd January 2024

  The British Army has thousands of vehicles of disparate type and standards which will plummet towards obsolesce in the coming decade. Previous efforts to replace the vehicles have failed and the process to buy new vehicles will begin again.

• Land Warfare

  First Challenger 3 rolled out

  23rd January 2024

  Challenger 3, the latest iteration of the Challenger MBT introduced into service with the British Army, has been manufactured by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land and has marked an in-service upgrade to the existing Challenger 2 platform.

• Air Warfare

  Slovenia receives first Leonardo C-27J transport aircraft

  21st December 2023

  Delivery of Slovenia’s first Leonardo C-27J transport aircraft has occurred 20 months after it was ordered and three months after the country ordered a second.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia builds up defences by strengthening its CV90 fleet

  25th January 2024

  Estonia has been enhancing its defence capabilities by acquiring and upgrading various armoured vehicles including the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, the Otokar Arma (6x6) armoured personnel carrier (APC) and the Nurol Makina NMS (4x4) armoured vehicle.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US government announces additional sanctions on Iran’s supporters

  6th February 2024

  Three Hong Kong-based companies and one Iranian entity have been supplying materials and sensitive technology for Iranian drones and missile production according to the US Department of the Treasury.

• Training

  Royal Air Force opens new Hawk maintainer facility

  21st November 2023

  Amid ongoing challenges with technical issues in the Rolls-Royce engines of the Royal Air Force's Hawk T2 fast jet training aircraft, the service has inaugurated a new maintenance training facility.

• Defence Notes

  Be immersed in pioneering tech innovation at World Defense Show 2024

  13th December 2023

  Journey to the Future at World Defense Show 2024 offers an interactive experience showcasing defence tech innovation and emerging trends across five domains.

• Air Warfare

  UK-Sweden Gripen E fighter collaboration to focus on Meteor

  3rd November 2023

  The Swedish-UK new Strategic Partnership centres on Gripen E weaponisation, with a specific emphasis on the MBDA Meteor missile system.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2024: Boeing remains confident in Indonesian F-15EX programme

  20th February 2024

  Despite uncertainty over a clear timeline for final approval of the Indonesian F-15EX fighter programme, discussions have been ongoing between the US and Indonesian governments, as they work to address various aspects of the FMS deal.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore announces F-35A order as it looks to diversify its future fighter fleet

  28th February 2024

  Singapore’s announcement of the procurement of eight F-35As has solidified the country’s commitment to enhancing national security and has seen it join select nations in operating multiple variants of the Lockheed Martin fighter aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (7-8) Optional

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (1-6)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• OPVs

  Teresa Magbanua Class [Philippines]

  Programme Background The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a contract for two 94m multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) in February 2020 to be built by ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Germany

  Germany originally said it would but 60 A400Ms, but when the program was re-baselined in 2010 reduced its planed off take to 53, with the ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (9-16)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | NRE+ (Navio Reabastecedor de Esquadra e Logístico) [Portugal]

  Portugal urges to replace NRP Bérrio, a fleet support tanker which was decommissioned in 2020. In December 2023, during an interview with Portuguese media, the Chief ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | NRE+ (Navio Reabastecedor de Esquadra e Logístico) [Portugal]

  Portugal urges to replace NRP Bérrio, a fleet support tanker which was decommissioned in 2020. In December 2023, during an interview with Portuguese media, the Chief ...

• Data links

  Data links | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | M-346 [Italy]

  In 2023, the Italian Ministry of Defence launched a procurement programme to replace its MB-339A aircraft with the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (T-346A). This effort involves 38 ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Drones (Ukraine Aid) [Norway]

  Programme Background Drones and Air Defence On 3 September 2024, the Norwegian government announced that "Ukraine will get more drones donated to their frontline, and more air ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW149 - Egypt

  In 2019, Egypt ordered 24 AW-149s and eight AW-189s. The contract was not officially reported, but eventually, the sale was recorded in the Italian Ministry ...

• Loitering munitions

  Orbiter 1K [Undisclosed]

  Programme Background As reported by Shephard, Aeronautics secured a $40 million contract from an undisclosed international customer for the Orbiter 1k.  Forecast Methodology Unit Cost ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Spain

  In December 2018, Spain Air Force took delivery of its first A400M. The aircraft will be operated by the Air Transport Wing (ATW) 31 of the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Riptide Mk II

  At Oceanology International 2018, Riptide Autonomous Solutions presented its second-generation micro-UUV – the Mk II. The Riptide Mk II UUV has a maximum speed of ...

• Military - USVs

  C-Worker 15

  C-Worker 15 is a large uncrewed surface vessel (USV) built by L-3 Harris designed specifically for towing payloads and deploying Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).

• Data links

  GNOMAD International

  Global Network On the Move – Active Distribution (GNOMAD) is an exportable SATCOM on-the-move system supplying a mobile network for military and government vehicles. The ...

• Fighter - ground attack

  AMX International

  The AMX International is a ground attack aircraft manufactured by AMX International, a consortium of Italy's Leonardo (Alenia and Aermacchi) and Brazil's Embraer, the latter ...

• International Modeling and Simulation

  Alion supports international customers with M&S strategies that include requirements and strategic planning; establishment of national simulation centres; Emergency Management and Crisis Response Emergency Operations ...

• Cannons

  40 CTAS

  CTA International has developed the 40 mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (40 CTAS) for integration into armoured vehicles for either new build or systems upgrades. ...

• EO/IR systems

  UltraFORCE 380-HDc

  The UltraFORCE 380-HDc is an EO/IR system from Teledyne FLIR. Unveiled at Farnborough International Airshow in 2024, it is an International Traffic in Arms Regulations-free (ITAR-free) version ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Helicopter Underwater Escape Training Simulator (HUET)

  The Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer (HUET) facility is designed and built by Meteksan Defence based on international standards and OPITO criteria (an international organization defining qualification ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Training Support and Services

  Diehl provides professional services to international customers with regard to ACMI systems, including analysis and presentation of mission data. Air force specialists support forces with ...

• Pistols

  STX

  In 2014, Detonics introduced the 9mm STX and in June 2015 announced that it had signed an agreement with STI International to produce the pistol. 

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  HMAV

  Mildef International Technologies publicly unveiled the prototype High Mobility Armoured Vehicle (HMAV) 4x4 at an event in Sepang in February 2021.  Designed to meet UN ...

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

  Nighthawk

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China displayed its new Nighthawk UAV at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in November 2012. Nighthawk is designed for tactical ...

• Major networking projects

  SITCEN

  The Situation Centre (SITCEN) is the central agency for providing situational awareness within NATO HQ. It is responsible for receiving, exchanging and disseminating political, economic ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  ARSS

  Relied upon by US as well as international paramilitary and government agencies, Telephonics’ Advanced Radar Surveillance System (ARSS) uses pulse-Doppler technology, providing wide-area ground surveillance ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Synaps-H

  The Synaps-H, a multi-band V/UHF handheld terminal, is designed for platoon and squad leaders. Capable of performing ground-ground, ground-air, special forces and border surveillance missions, ...