• Land Warfare

  USMC experiments with Mission Master UGVs in Australia

  6th August 2023

  The USMC trialled Mission Master UGVs during the recent Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 in Australia.

• Land Warfare

  Malaysian Army self-propelled howitzer acquisition programme faces a blurry future

  27th February 2024

  The schedule, number of platforms and total estimated cost of the Malaysian Army’s 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) acquisition programme has remained undefined despite the procurement effort having been announced back in the 2010s.

• Land Warfare

  Lockheed Martin unveils plans to develop new class of 500kW laser weapon

  31st July 2023

  Lockheed Martin will scale its technology to a 500kW-class laser under a new contract, aiming to optimize efficiency and size while increasing power for high-powered directed energy weapon systems.

• Defence Notes

  Aging infrastructure is endangering US military’s capacity to innovate

  26th February 2024

  The US’s ability to prepare for future conflicts had been placed at risk with many Pentagon laboratories and testing centres being housed in poorly maintained and aging structures.

• Land Warfare

  Saab receives Carl-Gustaf M4 order from Poland and gets greenlight for Indian factory

  5th March 2024

  In September 2014, Saab Dynamics introduced the Carl-Gustaf M4, the fourth generation of the widely deployed shoulder-fired 84mm recoilless weapon system.

• Air Warfare

  Final flight test of latest AMRAAM missile successful

  11th July 2023

  The USAF and Raytheon have concluded testing of the AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM variant, ensuring increased functionality, performance, and production capabilities for warfighters.

• Training

  US Navy’s VAW 125 unit receives first pilot training system

  7th July 2023

  The US Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges Program Office have delivered the first Aircrew Procedures Trainer (APT) device to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan.

• Naval Warfare

  Babcock wins $707 million HMS Victorious support and upgrade contract

  1st March 2024

  The UK Royal Navy’s Vanguard class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) provide the UK with its continuous-at-sea deterrent (CASD) coverage and have done so since 1994 when the boats started to replace the Resolution-class submarines. Second of class, HMS Victorious, entered service in 1995.

• Digital Battlespace

  Sweden signs deal with Thales for SMART-L long-range radars

  6th July 2023

  The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has entered into an agreement with Thales for new land-based SMART-L Multi Mission Fixed (MM/F) long-range radars. These will enhance Sweden's missile detection capabilities and contribute to its integrated air and missile defence.

• Land Warfare

  Indian Army boosts its air defences with new C2 system and missiles

  28th June 2023

  The Indian Army is introducing a new C2 system to oversee its air defences, one that can network with the Indian Air Force.

• Naval Warfare

  USN orders nine more Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers

  3rd August 2023

  The USN will receive nine more DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers, six from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and three from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, under a deal likely to be worth around $1.8 billion each ship.

• Naval Warfare

  France and Italy's Horizon-class destroyers to receive mid-life upgrade

  1st August 2023

  The Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has awarded Naviris and Eurosam a €1.5 billion ($1.65 billion) contract for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the French Navy’s Forbin-class destroyers and Italian Navy’s Orrizonte-class destroyers.

• Air Warfare

  Germany to postpone decision on Eurofighter sale to Saudi Arabia until at least 2025

  13th July 2023

  The ongoing block on the export of the fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia is likely to impact the Eurofighter consortium's plans to sell around 200 jets in the next two years.

• Defence Notes

  How the Pentagon is using quantum technology to improve its military capabilities

  29th August 2023

  The US DoD has been conducting several initiatives in the area of quantum science, the study of the smallest possible units of matter and energy, and intends to deepen the efforts in FY2024 as it watches China make advances in defence.

• Land Warfare

  Logos fire detector ordered for US Army

  1st March 2024

  Serenity, a hostile fire detection (HFD) system, combines EO and acoustic sensors to pinpoint the origin of heavy weapons and explosive detonations up to 10km away in any direction.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-12) [France]

  In November 2014, The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has confirmed purchase of 12 A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling aircraft from Airbus. The contract will cover the development and ...

• 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 ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Strategic Tanker Transport [Canada]

  Background This project will replace the existing fleet capability, including strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, Aeromedical Evacuations and Strategic Government of Canada transport. The Strategic Tanker ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 [Hungary]

  Programme Background The aircraft for Hungary will be specially configured for tactical transport operations, air-to-air refuelling of the service's Saab Gripen C/D fighters, and medical ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

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

• Maritime patrol

  P-8I Follow-On [India]

  Programme Background The IN currently has eight P-8I aircraft in service, these ordered on 4 January 2009 for $2.1 billion. India inducted its first P-8I ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y tanker aircraft [USA]

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-767 JBOT Trainer

  ACME has delivered a Remote Air Refueling Operator trainer to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The trainer supports the KC-767J tanker aircraft that has a remote ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT

  The 111t basic fuel capacity of the A330-200 airliner – from which the A330 is derived – enables the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

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

  X-47B UCAS

  The X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft, which was developed as part of the USN's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration project. The aircraft ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  MC-X Orca

  At DX Korea 2022, KAI presented an MC-X Orca medium transport aircraft concept model. The twin-engine aircraft is aimed at the Republic of Korea Air Force ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hellenic Air Force F-16 ATD

  L3Harris Technologies has delivered two F-16C Block 52+ Aircrew Training Devices (ATDs) to the Hellenic Air Force. The trainers enable pilots to hone air-to-air and ...

• Surface-to-air missiles, Loitering munitions

  359

  Unveiled in January 2025, the 359 is a surface-to-air (SAM) loitering munition. It is designed to engage targets such as AWACS, refuelling tankers, and other high-altitude surveillance and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Trailers

  M900 Series

  Heil’s M900-series tactical refuellers are designed and built to meet US military performance standards. The M967A2 ground equipment refueller and the M969A3 aircraft refueller are ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  M-346 FMS

  Developed in conjunction with CAE, the M-346 Full Mission Simulator (FMS) can emulate basic fighter manoeuvres, formation flight, in-flight refuelling and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  MB-339C

  The MB-339C is an advanced/lead-in fighter trainer developed based on the MB-339A that made its first flight in August 1976. The latest MB-339C version is ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  CF6-80E1A3

  The CF6-80E engines, developed by GE Aviation, power the newest generation of airliners such as Airbus A330. The engine incorporates a new 96-inch (2.44 meters) ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Transport, Refuelling and Sensor Aircraft Training

  Thales supports air force training needs for multi-mission aircraft in service around the world including A400M, MRTT/Voyager, Boeing Wedgetail, C-130 and KC-135, covering tactical airlift, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Fast Jet Training

  Thales provides a suite of training products for the life-cycle of military fast jet training. These encompass the design, development and establishment of training services ...

• ISR/special mission, Transport

  EC-130J Commando Solo

  The EC-130J Commando Solo is a special mission aircraft based on the C-130J transport airframe. It is used to conduct military information support operations and ...