• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Canada shines more light on RPAS plans

  23rd February 2022

  The Canadian Department of National Defence has confirmed the programme schedule for its optionally armed UAS procurement plan, while also identifying where the aircraft will be based.

• Defence Notes

  Ukraine invasion has potential ramifications for Latin American procurement

  23rd March 2022

  Central and South American militaries may have to reconsider their procurement habits in view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

• Defence Notes

  Ukraine war exposes vulnerabilities in US defence supply chain

  6th May 2022

  The US supply of weapons and ammunition to Kyiv has highlighted labour and material shortages, a too-limited supplier base and the need for shorter delivery timelines.

• Land Warfare

  Stinger and Javelin stocks face unclear future in US

  9th May 2022

  After donating thousands of Stingers and Javelins to Ukraine, the US is seeking ways to refill its stockpiles in the short term. Although this process will take at the best more than one year, the timescale for the replenishment of those systems remains blurry.

• Naval Warfare

  First MEKO A-200 frigate for Egypt commences sea trials

  8th April 2022

  Sea trials are in progress in Germany of ENS Al-Aziz, the first of six MEKO A-200 vessels ordered by Egypt.

• Air Warfare

  South Korea approves quest for transport aircraft

  15th April 2022

  South Korea is seeking new heavy-lift transport aircraft to support overseas deployments and domestic use.

• Naval Warfare

  Indo-Pacific 2022: Rise of the maritime machines in Australia

  13th May 2022

  Although lagging behind the utilisation of UAVs, militaries are now exploring new applications for and types of UUVs and USVs. Australia is no exception.

• Naval Warfare

  Metal Shark gains FMS modification for four Defiant-class patrol boats

  25th March 2022

  Metal Shark will establish FY2022 and FY2023 pricing for four Near Coastal Patrol Vessels destined to be operated by US allies in Central America and the Caribbean.

• Naval Warfare

  Blue Shark torpedo is about to gain sharper teeth

  19th April 2022

  South Korea is developing an improved variant of its Blue Shark torpedo, plus it will still order CIWS from the US until a new domestic weapon is available later this decade.

• Defence Notes

  France prepares for climate-altered battlefield

  28th April 2022

  A new policy document from the French MoD underlines how climate change must be factored into the technical specifications for future procurements.

• Defence Notes

  African defence market feels ripple effects of Russian sanctions

  30th March 2022

  How is the imposition of political and economic sanctions on Russia affecting regions heavily dependent on military equipment provided by Moscow and could this serve as an opportunity for new competing countries to attempt to fill a void?

• Defence Helicopter

  King Stallion moves nearer to IOC

  6th April 2022

  A decision on starting full-rate production of the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter is scheduled for 2023 with a first deployment to follow in 2024.

• Naval Warfare

  Fincantieri keeps USN Avenger minesweepers afloat

  23rd March 2022

  The US Navy has recruited Fincantieri for the maintenance of its Avenger fleet, which has been in service since 1987.

• Defence Notes

  New MoU further cements Israel-Morocco defence ties

  24th March 2022

  IAI has agreed with the Moroccan trade and industry ministry to ‘promote dynamic and innovative bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of investment and technology’.

• Naval Warfare

  Babcock backs both designs for Korean aircraft carrier

  24th March 2022

  Babcock has signed an MoU with Daewoo Shipbuilding and is now backing both of the main contenders for Korea’s CVX programme.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - multirole

  MCH-101 [Japan]

  Programme Background At the time of the 2023 signing , Japan had a fleet of 10 MCH-101s and three CH-101.The KHI MCH-101 helicopter is a version ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Hurkus C (Niger)

  Programme Background  In late April 2021, TAI President and CEO Temel Kotil claimed in an interview with CNN Turk TV that an export customer for Hürkuş-C had ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Stryker (North Macedonia)

  Programme Background In its Long-Term Defence Capabilities Development Plan (LTDCDP) published in 2019, the North Macedonian MoD outlined plans to acquire Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Light Protected Mobility Vehicles [North Macedonia]

  Programme Background The acquisition of an LPMV to equip the North Macedonian Armed Forces' Light Infantry Battalion Group (LIBG) is considered the most urgent priority for ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Data links

  Data links | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Patrol boats

  Multifunctional Support Ships (TRIFC/MICAN) (1-2) [Netherlands]

  Programme Background Requirements In 2022, the Royal Netherlands Navy started The Rapidly Increased Firepower Capability (TRIFC) concept, a study focused on procuring low-manned platforms to augment the firepower ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Second Hand Maestrale Class [Ecuador]

  The Ecuadorian Navy urgently needs to replace its ageing Leander-class frigates, which are almost inoperative due to the high maintenance and logistic costs. In early 2024, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Second Hand Maestrale Class [Ecuador]

  The Ecuadorian Navy urgently needs to replace its ageing Leander-class frigates, which are almost inoperative due to the high maintenance and logistic costs. In early 2024, ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Programme Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

• Data links

  Data links | AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a long-standing requirement for two additional AEW&C; aircraft to enhance its early warning capabilities against potential threats ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Major networking projects

  BCS

  Battle Control System (BCS) is a USAF Acquisition Category 1 major automated information system programme that provides air sovereignty C2 for the North American Aerospace ...

• Major networking projects

  BCS-F

  Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F) is a replacement for the fixed sites for the Region/Sector Air Operations Center, also known as Region Air Operations Center-Air Defense ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  TW-860 TSM Sprit

  TrellisWare TW-860 is a MANET-capable software-defined radio designed specifically for body wearable applications. It provides voice and data connectivity in a small form factor, featuring ...

• Military UGVs

  PackBot

  PackBot, previously designated 510 PackBot, is a tracked, tactical, mobile UGV with forward-articulated flippers that can perform multiple missions. PackBot is being delivered to customers ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  TW-135 TSM Shadow

  TrellisWare TW-135 is a MANET-capable, high-power radio designed for manpack, vehicular, fixed-site and airborne applications. Marketed as a networking radio, it provides high-speed voice, video ...

• Military UGVs

  FirstLook

  The Endeavor Robotics (now FLIR Systems) FirstLook is a tracked, compact, rugged, expendable and lightweight robot that provides situational awareness, performs persistent observation and investigates ...

• Land: air defence radar

  JLENS

  The Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS), often referred to as the "Spy Balloon", was a tethered aerial detection system ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  Jeteye

  BAE Systems’ Jeteye was developed as a Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) to equip widebody civilian aircraft. Jeteye’s architecture uses the firm’s AN/ALQ-212 DIRCM at its ...

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

  Multirole UAV

  North Korea unveiled two drones at the Weapons and Equipment Exhibition 2023 in Pyongyang on 2 August 2023. One drone closely resembled General Atomics' (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper, and, ...

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

  Predator XP

  The Predator XP is an updated unarmed version of the original Predator UAV that the US government has licensed for sale to a broader customer ...

• Trainer

  T-34 Mentor

  The T-34 Mentor is a trainer aircraft developed by Beechcraft (now Raytheon) to meet the requirements of the USAF and USN to replace the North American ...

• Loitering munitions

  PS Killer (PSK)

  The PS Killer (PSK) is a throw-and-forgot loitering munition developed by an American startup, XDOWN.  Uniquely, the system is shaped like a size 7 American football and is ...

• Fighter - ground attack, ISR/special mission

  Hürkuş-C

  The Hürkuş-C is a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries based on the Hürkuş trainer to meet the requirements of the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F/A-18A/B

  The F/A-18 Hornet A and B aircraft, or F-18A/B ('CF-18' in Canada and 'EF-18' in Spain), were the first models in the USN’s line of ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  Drone Killer

  The Uconsystem Drone Killer was unveiled in October 2015 and was developed in response to a UAV threat from North Korea, which saw four North ...