• Defence Notes

  US border wall drains funding from military programmes

  11th March 2020

  As debate rages in Washington, DC, on the FY2021 Presidential Budget Request, one of the main sticking points has been the redirecting of funding for …

• Naval Warfare

  C-UAS laser makes USN debut

  9th March 2020

  The USN has installed a first-of-a-kind laser on a destroyer, in order to blind the sensors of hostile unmanned aircraft.  This marks a major development …

• Naval Warfare

  Malaysian navy welcomes its first Chinese-built ship

  20th January 2020

  Malaysia’s first Littoral Mission Ship (LMS), KD Keris, arrived home at RMN Kota Kinabalu on 17 January, following its commissioning at its place of construction …

• Naval Warfare

  State of the navy: US surface fleet programmes

  31st January 2020

  With its share of the US DoD’s budget reduced from the Cold War, the USN is having to manage a range of surface fleet shipbuilding …

• Air Warfare

  Airbus, Thales sign agreement

  24th February 2020

  Airbus and Thales have signed an agreement for the development of the Air Combat Cloud for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The companies will …

• Naval Warfare

  First SM-2 from restarted production line tested

  27th February 2020

  The first SM-2 surface-to-air missile from Raytheon’s restarted production line has been tested by the company and the US Navy. During the test, the SM-2 …

• Digital Battlespace

  Lockheed Martin to upgrade AN/ALQ-217 ESM system

  20th January 2020

  Lockheed Martin is to upgrade the US Navy’s AN/ALQ-217 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The work will be carried …

• Air Warfare

  Japan charts course for new F-X fighter

  16th March 2020

  As its fleet of F-2A and F-2B fighters ages, Japan continues to consider plans and potential partners for an indigenous next-generation fighter that is due …

• Air Warfare

  Israel investigates cargo potential of Heron

  4th March 2020

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is offering a combat cargo supply drone based on its Heron MK II MALE UAV (pictured). The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) …

• Digital Battlespace

  Turkish EW gets passive-aggressive in Syria

  6th March 2020

  Aselsan’s KORAL radar jamming system has been deployed to northern Syria in support of Turkish operations against Kurdish insurgents. The truck-mounted KORAL provides electronic support …

• Naval Warfare

  UK shipyards prepare for COVID-19 virus

  18th March 2020

  As the COVID-19 virus continues to influence businesses across Europe, naval shipbuilders are having to determine how to react to and prepare for a worsening …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  France's DGA tests nEUROn in operational contexts

  24th February 2020

  The French DGA has completed a new flight test campaign of the nEUROn stealth combat drone technology demonstrator. Carried out in cooperation with Dassault Aviation, …

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia selects Spike LR2 ATGM

  5th March 2020

  Slovakia signed a contract with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for delivery of an unspecified number of fifth-generation Spike LR2 ATGMs and dismounted advanced integrated …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sea Venom design delay raises Wildcat capability questions

  5th March 2020

  The anti-ship weapons capabilities of the RN AW159 Wildcat have been dealt a blow with confirmation that the new MBDA Sea Venom missile has suffered from design …

• Land Warfare

  US Army orders additional 155mm Bonus munitions

  3rd March 2020

  The US Army ordered an undisclosed number of additional 155mm Bonus munitions through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The munitions will be delivered …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Littoral Strike Ships (LSS)

  Programme Background Original Plan: Procurment In February 2019, the then-UK Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson, announced an intention to establish two' littoral strike ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (3) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

  Programme Background The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was developed in 2003 as a cheap and fast way to increase the size of the fleet ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | LMS Batch II (5-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) plans to acquire eight Littoral Mission Ships (LMS). In line with the plan, it was assumed the RMN would acquire ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | LMS Batch II (5-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) plans to acquire eight Littoral Mission Ships (LMS). In line with the plan, it was assumed the RMN would acquire ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Littoral Combat Ships [Egypt]

  In December 2022, Sky News Arabia revealed that, according to a spokesperson of the US DoD, Washington had authorised the sale/transfer of Littoral Combat Ships ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Littoral Combat Ships [Egypt]

  In December 2022, Sky News Arabia revealed that, according to a spokesperson of the US DoD, Washington had authorised the sale/transfer of Littoral Combat Ships ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) [UK]

  Programme Background Requirements According to the UK MoD's March 2021 Defence Command Paper, entitled 'Defence in a Competitive Age', the RN will invest in six ...

• Frigates

  Second Frigate [Thailand]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is expected to order a second frigate following the procurement of the DW3000F in 2013. Timeline The RTN ...

• Patrol boats

  Shaldag Mk V [Israel]

  Programme Background A press release from Israel Shipyards on 7 July 2021 announced the company would be supplying the Israeli Navy with four Shaldag Mk ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | LPDs/OPVs Replacement Programme [Netherlands]

  The RNLN is planning to build two new Landing Platform Dock (LPDs) to enhance its amphibious capabilities and replace its ageing LPDs Rotterdam and Johan ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | LPDs/OPVs Replacement Programme [Netherlands]

  The RNLN is planning to build two new Landing Platform Dock (LPDs) to enhance its amphibious capabilities and replace its ageing LPDs Rotterdam and Johan ...

• Frigates

  New Generation Light Frigates (1-2) [Taiwan]

  Programme Background Requirements The ROC Navy will use the new Light Frigates to patrol the Taiwan Strait and other areas, escort vessels to Taiwan's outlying islands, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: RF, IR and acoustic decoys

  ALEX

  Lockheed Martin’s Automated Launch of Expendables (ALEX) can be integrated into an EW suite or act as a standalone system. Modularity allows a number of ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  COMBATSS-21

  Produced by Lockheed Martin, the Littoral Combat Ship Component Based Total Ship System – 21st Century (COMBATSS-21) is a modular, scalable open combat management system that can be ...

• Military - USVs

  USSV-HTF

  The US Office of Naval Research is using the Unmanned Sea Surface Vehicle-High Tow Force (USSV-HTF) to test various technological features that may be incorporated ...

• Military - USVs

  Fleet Class/Common Unmanned Surface Vessel

  Developed for the USN, the Fleet Class Common USV System uses a modular architecture that accommodates platform reconfiguration and interchangeable payload applications. 

• Military - UUVs

  RMMV

  The Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) is a semi-submersible AUV developed as part of the AN/WLD-1(V) Remote Minehunting System (RMS) for the USN’s Littoral Combat Ship ...

• EO/IR systems

  COBRA

  The Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) system is part of Northrop Grumman's airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) product line. It is designed to detect minefields ...

• Sea: surveillance system radar

  TRS-4D

  The TRS-4D C-band AESA multi-function air/surface radar is designed for dangerous, target-dense, blue waters and littoral environments. The TRS-4D is based on GaN AESA technology ...

• Corvettes

  Littoral Mission Ship (LMS 92)

  Based on the C92 corvette design, the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) 92 has been developed by Dearsan shipyard to meet the requirements of the Malaysian LMS ...

• Marine engines

  MTU 4000

  The MTU Series 4000 is manufactured by Rolls-Royce UK. The engine consists of a 90° V cylinder configuration and has a displacement/cylinder capacity of 4.77 ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Sea Giraffe AMB

  Sea Giraffe AMB is a 3D multipurpose medium-range surveillance radar with the ability to simultaneously track air and surface targets, with an optional mortar and ...

• Sea: naval fire control radar

  TMX/EO

  The TMX/EO three-axis tracking module is equipped with X-band radar and TV camera, IR camera and laser rangefinder, for precision measurement of aerial, naval and ...

• Data links

  T-Series Model S

  Model S is a shipboard, high-bandwidth, full-duplex ground terminal for communication with CDL airborne-configured systems. The terminal is software-configurable and supports the standard CDL waveform, ...

• Military - UUVs

  Bluefin-Knifefish

  The Bluefin-21 UUV is being developed for the Surface Mine Countermeasure UUV (SMCM UUV) programme to equip the USN’s Littoral Combat Ships. 

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  MQ-8C Fire Scout

  The MQ-8C is a newer version of the Fire Scout and is based on a Bell 407 commercial helicopter. It offers a greater range, endurance and ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  9LV Combat Management System

  Developed by Saab, the 9LV CMS provides scalable options for naval combat systems, and has been delivered on more than 230 ships – from small patrol ...