• Training

  MQ-9 SeaGuardian drone makes waves in US Navy exercise

  1st May 2023

  The US Navy’s Group Sail Exercise, held over a six-day period in Hawaiian waters, featured a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SeaGuardian drone for the …

• Air Warfare

  RAF boss hopes for a return to a five-aircraft E-7 buy

  6th February 2023

  While the RAF may hope to return to its original plan for a five-strong E-7 AEW fleet, the service will still have to wait until 2024 to receive its first aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Indonesia invests in Mirages to plug a fighter shortfall

  16th June 2023

  Indonesia's air force goes back in time to acquire ex-French, ex-Qatari Mirage fighter jets.

• Defence Notes

  US lawmakers to fund nearly $12 billion multi-year contracts for weapons

  3rd August 2023

  Authorisation of the US Senate Committee on Appropriations to progress with long-term acquisitions acquisition would benefit eight programmes.

• Air Warfare

  US declines Thai F-35 fighter request, offers F-15 and F-16

  24th May 2023

  The US has advised the Royal Thai Air Force that the service is not ready to operate the F-35 yet, according to local media reports.

• Training

  Standing NATO Maritime Group conducts training at sea

  3rd April 2023

  The demonstration of interoperability and maritime security capabilities in Souda Bay reinforces NATO's commitment to ensuring regional stability and safety in the Mediterranean.

• Air Warfare

  Canada to quadruple aerial tanker fleet with nine CC-330 Husky multi-role aircraft

  26th July 2023

  The significant expansion of strategic air-to-air refuelling capability is set to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces' operational reach and enhance its ability to support more missions, with specific focus on the High North.

• Air Warfare

  Australia receives an additional Growler and considers BBJ replacement

  28th March 2023

  The RAAF has returned its Growler fleet to full strength, plus replacements are also needed for two 737 BBJ aircraft used for VVIP transportation.

• Naval Warfare

  Colombia's COTECMAR commences construction of new OPV

  10th May 2023

  The Colombian shipbuilding corporation COTECMAR has started the construction of an OPV as the first platform as part of an order for three new ships.

• Land Warfare

  Moldovan defence gets boost from European Union funding

  9th May 2023

  A new financial assistance package from the European Union will help Moldova improve its airspace surveillance capabilities as missiles from the Ukraine conflict continue to pass over the country's territory.

• Naval Warfare

  IMDEX 2023: New Chinese-built LPD arrives in Thailand

  4th May 2023

  A new Chinese-built LPD, HTMS Chang, arrived in Thailand in late April, having been collected by the Royal Thai Navy earlier that month.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Army awards Rheinmetall and GDLS nearly $1.6 billion for next phase of OMFV programme

  29th June 2023

  The detailed design and prototype build and testing phases will involve the delivery of up to 11 prototype vehicles.

• Training

  Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 was all about countering China (Opinion)

  16th August 2023

  The recently concluded Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia, the largest ever in the series, was conducted with the threat of an aggressive China and PLA uppermost in mind.

• Naval Warfare

  IMDEX 2023: Mogami-class frigate calls on Singapore

  3rd May 2023

  The Japanese Mogami class has made its first overseas appearance at a defence exhibition with JS Kumano at IMDEX 2023.

• Land Warfare

  UK plays host to inaugural AUKUS Pillar 2 AI and autonomy trial

  26th May 2023

  While for most part AUKUS is about submarines, under its Advanced Capabilities Pillar, known as Pillar 2, the UK, US and Australia are collaborating on other leading-edge technologies.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 ...

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail (737) - UK

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 covering the ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that this entry covers the two rapid-prototype E-7 aircraft, whose contract was signed in August 2024. A second programme entry covers the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (USA - Forecast)

  Programme Background Speaking on 21 September 2021 during the annual Air Force Association (AFA) Meeting in Washington DC, USAF Chief of Staff Gen Charles Brown ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JAS 39E/F Gripen (Brazil)

  In 2016, Gripen’s Project and Development Center was opened in Sao Paulo to allow Sweedish and Brazillian engineers to work together in the Gripen development ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-XX mission equipment will ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-XX mission equipment will ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-XX mission equipment will ...

• AEW&C

  E-2D - Japan

  Programme Background Quantity Required The JASDF is taking delivery of 13 E-2D aircraft. Programme Value The total procurement cost for 13 E-2D aircraft is calculated ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  The USAF is interested in a near-term procurement of the Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) radar-equipped Boeing E-7A Wedgetail as an interim measure between the retirement ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  The USAF is interested in a near-term procurement of the Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) radar-equipped Boeing E-7A Wedgetail as an interim measure between the retirement ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  T56-A-15

  The T56-A-15, a member of the T56 family of engines, powers C-130B/E/H and E-2 military aircraft. Other military versions of engines from the T56 family ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar, Air: surveillance radar

  AN/APS-138

  The AN/APS-138 can perform airborne and surface surveillance. The UHF radars use pulse compression to enhance resolution and suppress clutter. With a range of more ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  E-7 Wedgetail Mission Simulator

  E-7 Wedgetail Mission Simulator was developed by Havelsan to meet the requirements of Turkey's Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control programme. The Mission Simulator ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-4B Nightwatch

  Developed by Boeing based on the 747-200 airliner, the E-4B Nightwatch is a special mission aircraft used as the US National Airborne Operations Centre and is ...

• AEW&C

  737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)

  The Boeing 737 AEW&C; is based on Boeing’s 737-700 commercial aeroplane. It is used for airspace surveillance and battle management. Three countries operate it: Australia ...

• Land: vehicle surveillance/target acquisition systems

  Savan 15

  Savan 15 is an FCS for tanks and other AFVs designed to provide fire-on-the-move capability. The system includes a day/night gunner’s sight; fire-control computer; gun ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-8C Joint STARS

  The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (STARS) is an ISR aircraft based on the 707-300 airliner. It is fitted with an 8-meter-long, canoe-shaped radome ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS

  Elix-IR

  Thales’ Elix-IR is a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). It uses infrared sensors to detect the hot exhaust plumes of incoming air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. ...

• AEW&C

  E-3 Sentry

  The E-3 Sentry, also known as AWACS, is an AEW&C; aircraft developed by Boeing based on the 707-320B airliner. It is powered by four Pratt & ...

• AEW&C

  Global 6500 AEW&C

  Developed by L3Harris Technologies and Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems Group (ELTA), the Global 6500 AEW&C; consists of a conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) mission ...

• Ship-launched torpedoes, Submarine-launched torpedoes

  VA-111/Shkval

  Shkval is a a supercaptivation torpedo launched originally in 1977 by the Soviet Union. Today, it is deployed by the Russian Navy and produced by ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  Sophie LITE

  The Sophie LITE is a handheld, integrated multifunction system that allows the user to detect, recognise, identify and locate targets. It can be used standalone ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar, Air: surveillance radar

  AN/APY-1/2

  The S-band AN/APY-1 radar is installed in a large rotodome above the fuselage of the Boeing KE-3A/E-3A/B Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft ...

• OPVs

  Cape Roger Class

  The Cape Roger class features two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) in service with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Built by Ferguson Industries Ltd. the first ship ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  AN/ALE-47A(V)

  The ALE-47A(V) incorporates new technology to update the standard ALE-47 family. It uses information from EW sensors such as RWR and MWS to determine the ...