• Naval Warfare

  Esper hails shipbuilding study but budgetary questions remain

  22nd September 2020

  US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has called for higher spending on shipbuilding, in order to support what he described as a ‘game-changer’ for fleet …

• Training

  Historical parallels suggest benefits of cost-effective training realism

  18th September 2020

  The recent virtual US Army Maneuver Warfighter Conference, hosted by the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning in Georgia, featured an eclectic presentation from …

• Naval Warfare

  Is the USN defying the aircraft carrier’s obsolescence?

  16th October 2020

  Aircraft carriers retain their relevance in the latest USN strategic thinking, despite arguments against their continued development

• Training

  LICA construction will be completed, says Rossi

  25th August 2020

  Argentina-based shipyards Astillero Rio Santiago and Tandanor have been awarded a contract to complete construction of two LICA training boats for the Argentine Navy, according …

• Digital Battlespace

  NZ network-enablement project continues apace

  9th September 2020

  New Zealand continues to progress its four-phase Network Enabled Army (NEA) programme, with the first tranche on track to reach fruition next year. At the …

• Land Warfare

  Taiwan orders more CM34 IFVs

  26th August 2020

  The Republic of China Army (ROCA) will order an additional 21 CM34 Cloud Leopard 8x8 IFVs armed with a 30mm cannon for the Military Police …

• Land Warfare

  IAI markets EO sensor to detect gunfire

  4th September 2020

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is marketing a compact sensor that brings improved technology to detect gunfire. ELO-5220P Othello is an optical threat locator that provides precise information …

• Defence Helicopter

  Israel grounds Black Hawk fleet amid engine troubles

  19th August 2020

  The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has decided to ground its UH-60 Black Hawk (Owl) fleet following a number of T700 engine ‘technical malfunctions’ discovered over …

• Naval Warfare

  Hellenic Navy introduces latest missile boat

  17th August 2020

  The Hellenic Navy commissioned its latest 670t fast attack craft - missile (FAC-M) boat on 28 July. This craft, named Karathanasis, is the sixth and …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  South Korea pursues a stealthy UCAV and much more

  20th August 2020

  South Korea is doggedly rolling out new UAVs for the nation’s armed services, as well as developing new high-tech aircraft for future use. One is …

• Naval Warfare

  Indonesian Navy modernisation remains patchy

  22nd August 2020

  The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) operates an eclectic hodgepodge of ships, but it is making efforts to modernise its fleet, especially after it was given a …

• Defence Notes

  China, computer chips and supply chains

  20th August 2020

  On 14 September 2019, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched an audacious unconventional military attack on critical infrastructure facilities in Saudi Arabia, at Abqaiq and …

• Land Warfare

  Nioa supports Australian future soldier lethality programme

  22nd July 2020

  Following a competitive tender, Nioa has won the A$7 million ($5 million)  contract for the first stage of the Project Land 159 Lethality Systems programme …

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems proposes Beowulf for CATV

  21st July 2020

  In response to an RfP issued in June 2020, BAE Systems has submitted a proposal to the US Army to deliver two prototype vehicles under …

• Air Warfare

  India tests Dhruvastra helicopter missile

  30th July 2020

  India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted three ground-based tests of its Nag/Helina helicopter-launched missile on 15-16 July in direct and top-attack modes. To …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-60M - Jordan

  On 7 July 2020, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS of one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and related equipment ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC 10 to OPC 25)

  The US Coast Guard (USCG) is planning on having up to 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC's) to replace the aging 29 medium-endurance cutters.The OPC programme ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC 10 to OPC 25)

  The US Coast Guard (USCG) is planning on having up to 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC's) to replace the aging 29 medium-endurance cutters.The OPC programme ...

• Corvettes

  Merkuriy Class (Project 20386)

  Programme Background Requirements The Russian Navy has been streamlining the number of new ship classes to reduce logistic and maintenance costs, meaning around two to ...

• 4x4 Vehicles (Dominican Republic)

  Programme Background Requirement The Dominican Republic shares a border with Haiti, whose security situation has worsened since the 2010 earthquake. In order to improve border ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Combat Supply Ship [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The Spanish Navy is seeking a replacement for the Patino replenishment oiler, which entered service in 1995. The new ship is regarded ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background On 20 May 2017, President Donald Trump signed a Memorandum of Intent for a $109.7 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, including $5.8 ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement The Greek government issued a request for proposals in 2023, with a focus on acquiring modern, all-weather maritime surveillance aircraft. The intended ...

• Transport

  C-27 Spartan (Third Batch) [Peru]

  Programme Background In the early 2010s, the Peruvian Air Force started a transport aircraft programme to modernise its transport wing with a platform which can traverse ...

• Frigates

  Type 054A/P (Pakistan)

  Programme Background Contracts Pakistan has ordered four frigates from China under the Type 054AP programme, which refers to the vessels being based on the Peoples ...

• Light attack

  M-346 FA [Brazil]

  Programme Background Requirement Brazil operates several A-1 (AMX) light attack aircraft, which were produced by Embraer in partnership with Leonardo in the 1980s. Similarly, the ...

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

  Zefir [Poland]

  Programme Background Inception The Zefir programme concerns a MALE-class UCAV with an operating radius of up to 1000km. In 2018, Defence24 reported that Poland could ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter (Taiwan)

  Programme Background Taiwan claims that Chinese fighter jets are often crossing into the island's air defence zone. The Republic of China Air Force is looking for options ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  PKX-B Batch II (1-4) [South Korea]

  Programme Background Contracts Award On 24 November 2022, HJ Heavy Industries was awarded a contract worth KRW212 billion ($160 million) to build four PKX-B Batch-II fast attack ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors, Patrol boats

  Gun Boats (Pakistan)

  Programme Background Timeline The first steel cutting for these boats occurred on 6 October 2022. The PN is seeking 20 vessels; the first one should ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  ACES

  Raytheon's Advanced Countermeasures Electronic System (ACES) is an Integrated Self-Protection System (ISPS) designed to equip Lockheed Martin F-16 series combat aircraft. The ACES architecture includes ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 ATD

  L3Harris Technologies continues to upgrade the fielded F-16C Block 52 Aircrew Training Devices to include updates to the current Morocco F-16 OFP Tape and replacement ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Fregat M2EM / Top Plate

  The Fregat M2EM, also known as Top Plate or Top Steer, is a Russian E-band surveillance radar with integrated IFF capability. The radar is capable ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Land: range systems and targets

  Table Top Trainer Family

  The Table Top Trainer family is driven by customer demand for cost-effective and mobile simulation solutions for training in special functions such as laying bridges ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  LTMPV Dino 319

  The LTMPV Dino 319 is a light multipurpose vehicle designed to be a high mobility off-road vehicle. It is closed top and has 5 doors.

• Special operations vehicles

  Ajban LRSOV

  The Ajban Long-Range Special Operations Vehicle (LRSOV) is an open-top 4x4 long-range reconnaissance vehicle based on Nimr's Ajban multipurpose vehicle. The LRSOV seats four crew ...

• Military - USVs

  Adaro

  Adaro is a rugged, man-portable, X-class USV. Its series-hybrid energy system allows for quiet operation, including at top speeds, while the heavy fuel-based range extender ...

• Special operations vehicles

  Patsas

  Unveiled at Eurosatory 2012, the 4x4 Bastion Patsas is an open-top variant of ACMAT's Bastion family developed for SF operations. In 2012, Chad became the ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  STR-50

  The STR-50 is a rotary-wing UAV manufactured by Stromkind.  Little is known about the platform. It was seen displayed on top of a Boxer 8x8 ...

• Titan MkIV

  The Titan MkIV is an octorotor UAV designed for industrial and commercial applications, such as inspection, data collection and surveillance. It is capable of carrying ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  KG-255 INE

  The AltaSec KG-255 is an NSA-certified Type 1 inline network encryptor (INE) that supports the secure exchange of classified information, up to the Top Secret ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  Convoy Table-Top Crew Station

  The Convoy Table-Top Crew Station simulates commander, driver and gunner positions of a HMMWV or tactical truck. The gunner position features a head-mounted display for ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  LG4

  The LG4 is a six-chamber, revolving-cylinder, shoulder-fired, semi-automatic 40x46mm grenade launcher. It is fitted with a top rail for optical sights and a bottom rail ...

• Z-Boat 1800

  The Z-Boat 1800 is a remotely operated hydrographic survey boat which includes GNSS positioning, echo sounder and GPS. It has a typical survey speed of ...