• Naval Warfare

  Malaysia launches first LCS

  24th August 2017

  Malaysia’s first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Maharaja Lela, was launched in a formal ceremony on 24 August at the Boustead Naval Shipyard facility in Lumut.  …

• Military Logistics

  USS Theodore Roosevelt carries out FAS

  25th August 2017

  A US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, has successfully completed a fuelling at sea (FAS) with guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson, the US Pacific …

• Special Operations

  Afghan Special Operations Command to double in size

  1st September 2017

  The Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC) officially transitioned into a Special Operations Corps on 20 August, which will see the organisation almost double …

• Land Warfare

  Analysis: Australia experiences embarrassing amphibious gap

  31st August 2017

  The Australian Army has a vexing problem. How can it deliver its M1A1 AIM Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) ashore from the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Polish T-72 upgrades on display

  6th September 2017

  Polish manufacturer Bumar-Łabędy is using this year’s MSPO exhibition to showcase two upgrade solutions for the Soviet-era T-72 main battle tank; one low-cost refresh and …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian achieves new milestone

  23rd August 2017

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS has completed an FAA-approved flight from Laguna Airfield at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, through national airspace to the …

• Digital Battlespace

  Hensoldt’s 3D radar demos detection capabilities

  29th August 2017

  Hensoldt’s Spexer 2000 3D radar has proved its detection capabilities against asymmetric threats during two customer demonstrations held in real operational conditions.  During the first …

• Land Warfare

  Japan shows new Type 16 MCV

  4th September 2017

  A single Type 16 Manoeuvre Combat Vehicle (16MCV) appeared at the Fuji Firepower demonstration in Japan on 27 August. However, instead of the expected production …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Leidos demos Pathfinder vessel

  22nd August 2017

  Leidos has demonstrated its unmanned maritime capabilities at the US Navy's Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX 2017), the company announced on 16 August. During the …

• Naval Warfare

  Taiwan’s coast guard outlines 10-year buildup

  29th August 2017

  Taiwan’s Executive Yuan approved the Coast Guard Administration’s TWD$50 billion ($1.7 billion) ‘Forward-looking Vessels Buildup Plan’ on 23 August, which will see 141 cutters – …

• Naval Warfare

  South China Sea: code of conduct lacks fortitude

  5th September 2017

  A ‘framework’ for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea was agreed upon in Manila on 6-7 August during the ASEAN 50 …

• Naval Warfare

  Mauritius commissions FPV Valiant

  23rd August 2017

  The Mauritius National Coast Guard has commissioned its new Water Jet fast patrol vessel (FPV) CGS Valiant, in Port Louis, it was announced on 16 …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Romania pursues ambitious modernisation

  29th August 2017

  In early August the Romanian Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT) took a broad decision to begin large-scale redevelopment of the country’s armed forces, boosting …

• Land Warfare

  Latvia agrees Stinger purchase from Denmark

  22nd August 2017

  The Latvian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has agreed to acquire an undisclosed number of Stinger air defence systems from the Danish Armed Forces, it was announced …

• Naval Warfare

  Ukraine seeks Islands for Black Sea

  11th August 2017

  The Ukraine has reached an agreement in principal for the purchase of up to 17 Island-class patrol boats. Senior officials from the Ukrainian naval service …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  MiG-35 (Russia)

  The MiG-35 is a new-generation derivative of the twin-engine MiG-29 (NATO code-name ‘Fulcrum’) featuring multi-role combat capabilities, significantly reworked airframe and a vastly expanded arsenal ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  In June 2024, during a presentation provided at the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE), the Italian Navy detailed the new capabilities it ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  In June 2024, during a presentation provided at the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE), the Italian Navy detailed the new capabilities it ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SIGINT Vessel Procurement [Spain]

  The Spanish Navy urges the replacement of the intelligence gathering ship Alerta, which has been in service since 1992. In April 2025, Spain released its upgraded ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SIGINT Vessel Procurement [Spain]

  The Spanish Navy urges the replacement of the intelligence gathering ship Alerta, which has been in service since 1992. In April 2025, Spain released its upgraded ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  SIGINT Vessel Procurement [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The Spanish Navy urges the replacement of the intelligence gathering ship Alerta, which has been in service since 1992. Prior to that, ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Joint Maritime Multi-Mission System (J3MS)/SIGINT Ship (2) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements Since 2002, the Italian Navy has operated the SIGINT ship Elettra. The vessel, which is expected to remain in service until the ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements According to the presentation provided by the Italian Navy, the MultiroleUnderwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) will:operate a wide range of uncrewed systems, ...

• AEW&C

  Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  Programme Background NATO’s E-3A AWACS fleet is set to retire in 2035, after 50 years of service. To plan for the required follow-on capability, NATO's ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Data links

  Data links | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Military UAS - small

  Puma 2 AE [Germany]

  Programme Background The Germany navy had an urgent requirement for three UAS required for reconnaissance and identification in maritime operations. A platform was required that ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 Options [Portugal]

  Programme Background Leadership from Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force formalised a contract that includes 10 aircraft options that can be utilised by any NATO ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK244 Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) Enhanced Lethality Cartridge (ELC)

  MK244 Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) Enhanced Lethality Cartridge (ELC) is a 20mm medium calibre round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Anti-ship missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  3M-54 Kalibr

  The 3M-54 Kalibr, or Klub (NATO reporting name: SS-N-27 'Sizzler'), is a Russian surface ship and submarine-launched anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile.

• Light machine guns

  LSAT LMG

  Textron Systems Unmanned Systems is developing and maturing a Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) family of weapons and ammunition with the US Army that fires ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK149 Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot

  The MK149 Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) is a 20mm medium calibre round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  Kh-31

  The Kh-31 (NATO reporting name AS-17 Krypton) is a Russian anti-ship missile that is known for its anti-radiation (Kh-31P) and anti-ship (Kh-31A) versions.

• Unguided Tank Ammunition

  105mm M490 Target Practice - Tracer

  The 105mm M490 Target Practice - Tracer is a tank training round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  Flat Track

  The Flat Track (NATO reporting name) is a barrage and deception radar jamming system that is able to counter anti-ship missiles.

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  6.5mm CT Carbine

  The 6.5mm Cased Telescoped (CT) Carbine is a closed-bolt, forward-feed, gas piston-operated weapon being developed as part of the US Army's Lightweight Small Arms Technology ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  20MM PGU-28 A/B Semi-Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary (SAPHEI)

  The 20MM PGU-28 A/B Semi-Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary (SAPHEI) is a medium-calibre round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Unguided Tank Ammunition

  M724A2 Target Practice Discarding Sabot-Tracer

  The M724A2 Target Practice Discarding Sabot-Tracer is a 105mm training tank round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. The US Army procured the 1,623 rounds ...

• Unguided Naval Ammunition

  76 mm HE-M77

  The 76 mm High Explosive M-77 naval ammunition is a high-explosive (HE) round for OM 76/62 naval guns manufactured by Elbit Systems. The HE round ...

• Major networking projects

  NATO SATCOM

  Leonardo has been awarded a turnkey contract to rationalise and upgrade NATO’s SATCOM systems and associated infrastructure. The company will design, build, test, commission and ...

• Major networking projects

  NATO DCIS

  Airbus is delivering the NATO Deployable Communication and Information System (DCIS). The project represents a major upgrade in the capability of NATO Response Forces (NRF) ...

• Land: RWS

  Qimek NATO

  Rheinmetall's RWS family includes the Qimek single-weapon RWS and the Nanuk dual-weapon RWS. The Qimek NATO combines full stabilisation, long-range day/night all-weather sights and a ...

• Land: RWS

  Nanuk NATO

  Rheinmetall's RWS family includes the Qimek single-weapon RWS and the Nanuk dual-weapon RWS, which was introduced in 2008. The Nanuk NATO combines full stabilisation, long-range ...