• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2023: Emirati weapons poised for integration on UAE's Rafale and India's Tejas fighter jets

  15th November 2023

  Edge Group's Al Tariq has reached advanced stages of negotiations with the UAE Air Force for the integration of its weaponry onto the Dassault Rafale 4 fighter jets, while also exploring possibilities to equip India's Tejas Mk 1 with its technology.

• Land Warfare

  JLTVs bound for five export customers under US$160 million deal with Oshkosh

  17th November 2023

  Oshkosh has added more than a thousand Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) to its books this month alone with this order and another announced on 4 November for the US Army, USMC and USAF.

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2023: does the Royal Navy's surface combatant recapitalisation go far enough after a decade of neglect?

  6th September 2023

  The UK Royal Navy (RN) operates one of the world’s premier fleets with the ability to deploy high-end warships globally and retains key competencies in carrier aviation, amphibious and undersea warfare that few can boast. It also provides the UK’s nuclear deterrent submarines. Despite this potential, it needs to recover from a decade of neglect to sustain these capabilities.

• Training

  US Army to use virtual reality to train combat medics

  22nd December 2023

  The service is working with USC ICT to develop the OPUS-C BTE medical VR solution to train healthcare professionals in gunshot and blast trauma surgical techniques.

• Naval Warfare

  Latest Virginia-class SSN commissioned by US Navy despite increasing pressure on submarine service

  16th October 2023

  USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) has become the 22nd Virginia-class submarine to enter service with the US Navy following a commissioning event on 14 October 2023.

• Defence Notes

  Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?

  10th April 2024

  Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.

• Defence Notes

  Global defence spending hits record highs amid threats from Russia and beyond

  14th February 2024

  With the possibility of having to confront challenges without substantial US support looming, European nations have been compelled to reassess their defence strategies and prioritise investments to ensure collective security and resilience.

• Defence Helicopter

  KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters

  12th September 2023

  Airbus Helicopters and KAI have agreed a contract covering the supply of helicopter components for the latter over the next decade.

• Land Warfare

  How the US Army is getting ready to succeed in contested logistics scenarios

  12th February 2024

  The service taken several measures including reassessing its doctrine and the position of its stockpiles worldwide, as well as investing in new capacities.

• Naval Warfare

  Finland ends long wait for construction on the first Pohjanmaa-class corvette

  30th October 2023

  The four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes will be built as part of the Squadron 2020 programme following setbacks that delayed the beginning of construction.

• Naval Warfare

  Italian Navy overcomes delays in PPA ship deliveries

  29th September 2023

  Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the third of seven Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA) Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel to the Italian Navy during a ceremony on 27 September.

• Air Warfare

  TAI delivers first Nigerian T-129 Atak helicopters

  7th November 2023

  The delivery of the first two T129 attack helicopters has marked a milestone in a deal announced during the 2022 Farnborough Air Show between Nigeria and Turkish Aerospace Industries.

• Defence Notes

  BAE Systems grows DI unit with purchase of Eurostep

  1st November 2023

  BAE Systems and Swedish data sharing company Eurostep have been co-operating on projects for a number of years and the deal will help the development of the UK company’s digital asset management suite PropheSEA.

• Defence Notes

  EU report: Europe needs more agile forces and a change in focus in the face of Russian aggression

  14th November 2023

  The 2023 EU Capability Development Priorities plan outlines changes in defence posture based on political guidance provided by the Strategic Compass, as well as lessons observed from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

• Naval Warfare

  Future of the South African Navy looks bleak despite new ships entering service

  29th November 2023

  The commissioning of SAS King Shaka Zulu, a Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel, into the South African Navy masks serious problems for the service as fleet availability falls dangerously low and capability atrophies.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Tiltrotors

  V-22 Osprey [Japan]

  Programme Background Procurement Contracts The Japanese government is the first export customer of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey, having ordered 17 helicopters from the US across ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

• Data links

  Data links | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | MAWS/PATMAR [France]

  French Navy is planning to purchase up to 22 MPA aircraft to replace its ATL2 fleet in service. Germany and France agreed to develop a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Morocco]

  Programme Background In November 2021, Haaretz reported that a $22 million drone sale between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Morocco had occurred. That publication and ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) Forecast (South Korea)

  Programme Background The LAH is the first time that the South Korean OEM has developed an armed helicopter. The project kicked off in June 2015, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  MQ-4 Triton (Announced/Contracted) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The MQ-4C Triton programme, developed under the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) programme, required an uncrewed system to provide persistent real-time intelligence, surveillance ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  Spain HT-29 Caiman MSPT (NH90 NFH) - Navy

  The deliveries of seven NH-90 NFHs to the Spanish Navy are expected to between 2022 and 2025, following the completion of 22-helicopters program for the ...

• Patrol boats

  Evolved Cape Class (1-6) [Australia]

  Programme Background Austal was awarded a contract to build six 'Evolved' Cape-class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on 1 May 2020. The contract ...

• Tiltrotors

  V-22 Osprey (USN)

  Programme Background Requirement According to USN FY2023 Budget Estimate documentation, the V-22 programme provides an aircraft to meet the amphibious and vertical assault needs of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS (Japan - 2nd Batch)

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• Frigates

  30FFM Multi-Mission Frigates [Japan]

  Programme Background Timeline The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) was expected to place orders for all eight multirole frigates by fiscal year (FY) 2021, with ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift, Tiltrotors

  V-22 Osprey [Indonesia]

  Programme Background Announcement Indonesia issued a letter of request for pricing, which eventually triggered the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to announce on 6 June 2020, ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Phoenix Ghost (Ukraine Aid) [US]

  Programme Background Presidential Drawdown (21 April 2022) Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, on 21 April 2022, President Biden announced an $800 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  MD-22

  The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) unveiled the near-space hypersonic technology testbed MD-22 at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2022. Capable of speeds of Mach 7, the ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Air Combat Training

  Boeing has experience in delivering training for fixed-wing air combat platforms including F-15C/E, F-16, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, F-22 and MV/CV-22.

• Data links

  MDM-2X02N

  The MDM-2X02N is a tactical data link modem that combines the functionalities of a Link 11 DTS and Link 22 signal processor controller (SPC) into ...

• Data links

  MLT 2920

  The MLT 2920 Multi Link Terminal is a Link 11/22 compatible data link solution. Supplied by Elbit Systems Deutschland, it comprises one Link 11 modem ...

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

  Kaman-22

  Unveiled in February 2021, the Kaman-22 is the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Forces (IRIAF) flagship UAV. With a payload capacity of 300kg and seven hardpoints, ...

• Transport

  An-22

  The largest transport aircraft of the time, the An-22 Antei (NATO reporting name Cock) is a heavy military transport aircraft developed by Antonov in the ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  RP-22 Sapfir 21

  The RP-22 Sapfir 21 is an upgraded Sapfir for late-1960s MiG-21 fighters. 

• Data links

  Maritime Tactical Data Link

  The Maritime Tactical Data Link (MTDL) is a developmental tactical data link by Hanwha Systems. Offered in 16 configurations, the system is based on the ...

• Anti-ship missiles

  P-270 Moskit

  The P-270 Moskit is a Soviet anti-ship missile designated as SS-N-22 (Sunburn) by NATO. It was not till after the end of the Cold War ...

• Sea: naval fire control radar

  Type 911

  The Type 911 is a lightweight, I-bad fire control system developed by Marconi, which is now part of BAE Systems. These radars were originally developed ...

• Data links

  LinkPro

  LinkPro is a standards-based, high fidelity, software-only, multi-link Tactical Data Link (TDL) processing engine that improves tactical communications, reduces the time, risk and expense of ...

• Corvettes

  Shahid Soleimani class

  At the beginning of September 2022, Iran unveiled the new Shahid Soleimani-class warship. The vessel features a catamaran design with a stealthy superstructure. Two other units are reportedly ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Air Wolf

  The Air Wolf, or Airwolf, is a catapult-launched developmental UAS manufactured by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.  On 25 August 2021, Kratos announced the platform had completed its ...

• ISR/special mission

  IL-22

  The IL-22 Bison (NATO reporting name Coot-B), also known as IL-18D-36, is a special mission aircraft designed as an airborne command post for the Soviet Air Force.  ...

• Helicopter guns

  RGS (AWG-35)

  The RGS (AWG-35) fulfils the USMC requirement for an Interim Defensive Weapon System for the MV-22 tiltrotor. Armed with a three-barrel 7.62mm GAU-7 minigun, the ...