• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall wins $145 million contract for subsystems to replace howitzers sent to Ukraine

  2nd April 2024

  The Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) was developed in the mid-1980s to meet a German Army requirement to replace its M109 SPHs and 185 were delivered. Export orders from Greece (24), Italy (70, of which 68 were produced locally) and the Netherlands (57) increased production to more than 330 systems.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey inches closer to F-16 fighter deal

  4th March 2024

  The majority of US senators have declared their support for the sale of F-16s to Turkey despite concerns regarding the country’s past military behaviour, thereby emphasising the importance of the US in fulfilling its commitments to NATO allies and enhancing Turkey’s military capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Can Russian industry maintain a viable air force?

  12th July 2024

  While sanctions have not crippled Russia’s military-industrial complex as some predicted, its ability to produce modern combat aircraft at a sustainable rate remains uncertain.

• Land Warfare

  Japan orders three Mission Master UGVs

  8th April 2024

  Part of Rheinmetall's Mission Master family, the Mission Master Silent Partner (SP) is an eight-wheeled UGV designed to fulfil various logistics and battlefield support roles. Since 2017, several countries, including the UK, Netherlands and an undisclosed Middle Eastern country, have made purchases for trials and development purposes.

• Defence Notes

  European Commission sets out first-ever European Defence Industrial strategy

  6th March 2024

  The strategy set out by the Commission will aim to bolster Europe’s defence industry, foster innovation and strengthen international alliances.

• Air Warfare

  Canada looks to both NATO and the US for next generation helicopter beyond 2035

  6th March 2024

  Aircraft set for replacement under NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) include AW101, UH-60 Black Hawk, Puma and NH90.

• Land Warfare

  Europe’s Defence Future: The Strategic Importance of the MGCS Project (Opinion)

  28th May 2024

  The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) project, initiated by Germany and France in 2018, symbolises a transformative step forward in European defence capabilities.

• Naval Warfare

  Indonesia chooses French Naval Group to support building of two submarines

  2nd April 2024

  Indonesia has signed a contract with Naval Group to support the construction of two Scorpene Evolved Full LIB submarines via technology transfer.

• Air Warfare

  Netherlands upgrades MQ-9A Reaper fleet

  2nd April 2024

  The improvements the Dutch MQ-9A Reapers will receive will include maritime radars, extended-range fuel tanks and weapons.

• Land Warfare

  Sweden orders $508 million worth of 6x6 vehicles

  25th March 2024

  Patria developed the Patria 6x6 APC, unveiled at Eurosatory 2018, as a successor to the XA-series Pasi APC and to complement Patria’s 8x8 Armoured Modular Vehicle family.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD

  16th April 2024

  A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.

• Naval Warfare

  Belgium buys Exail’s R7 ROVs for underwater operations

  3rd April 2024

  The Belgian Armed Forces have ordered six R7 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) from the French company Exail to allow for underwater inspection and disposal of explosive ordnance (EOD).

• Air Warfare

  KAI proposes Surion variants to fill Malaysian helicopter capability gaps

  10th May 2024

  Despite previous challenges in unifying procurement efforts across the Malaysian Armed Forces services, KAI has aimed to offer tailored Surion variants to fulfil specific requirements.

• Training

  US Air Force fires warning as China attempts to recruit US airmen

  20th February 2024

  US Air Force authorities have warned that Beijing has been trying to contract experienced US personnel to fill PRC training gaps in tactics, techniques and procedures.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy to invest $3 billion in UAS and C-UAS capabilities

  30th July 2024

  UAS and C-UAS funding for the US Navy in FY2025 will cover R&D and procurement programmes along with improvements to the branch’s current inventory.

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

  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 ...

• Destroyers

  TF-2000 Destroyers (Milgem Project) [Turkey]

  Programme Background Requirements The TF-2000 class Air Defence Warfare (ADW) destroyers are part of Turkeys Milgem project to revitalise the fleet. The ships are intended ...

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.

• 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 ...

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM, Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  R&S M3SR Series4100

  Rohde & Schwarz M3SR Series4100 is a family of software-defined HF radios designed for stationary and shipborne communications. Offered in multiple configurations, they offer high-data-rate BLOS ...