• Land Warfare

  Paris Air Show: Le Bourget under air defence ‘bubble’ (video)

  26th June 2017

  While most visitors at this year’s Paris Air Show were concerned with applying enough sun protection, the French Air Force had another more pressing concern; …

• Military Logistics

  US looks to organic JLTV support

  15th June 2017

  The US military is looking to organic service support to maintain the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) that will soon start entering US Army and …

• Land Warfare

  India reboots CQB rifle tender

  14th June 2017

  This month the Indian Army launched a supplementary RfI to obtain 44,000 much-needed 5.56mm close-quarter battle (CQB) carbines.These are intended to replace its retired Sterling 1A1 9mm …

• Land Warfare

  Portugal clears way for small arms refresh

  12th June 2017

  The Portuguese Ministry of National Defense has authorised the country’s army to acquire small arms and associated sights, equipment and services, through the NATO Support …

• Defence Notes

  Analysis: Mattis confirms new stability policy initiative

  3rd June 2017

  US Defense Secretary James Mattis has confirmed plans the US will implement the Asia Pacific Stability Initiative (APSI), now in the development stages in the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show: Patroller integration continues

  19th June 2017

  The French Army is continuing efforts to integrate the Patroller UAV into its force structure following the recent announcement that it will receive two systems …

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall details laser light module orders

  15th June 2017

  Rheinmetall is delivering VarioRay laser light module sets to the Austrian Federal Ministry’s Cobra counter-terrorism unit, the company announced on 13 June. The order, worth …

• Defence Helicopter

  Analysis: New Indian naval helicopters dashed again

  26th June 2017

  An Indian Navy (IN) deal valued at over $1 billion for 16 Multirole Helicopters (MRH) was given a quiet burial after being scrapped by the …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Bell pitches to international market

  19th June 2017

  Pitching itself further as an international military supplier, Bell Helicopter has highlighted imminent deliveries of its tiltrotor and attack helicopter offerings across Asia. The company will see …

• Defence Helicopter

  TASL delivers components for Indian CH-47

  13th June 2017

  Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) has begun delivery of crown and tailcone assemblies for the Indian configuration of the CH-47F Chinook helicopter. The parts - manufactured …

• Land Warfare

  USMC tests M320 grenade launcher

  15th June 2017

  The US Marine Corps is testing the M320 grenade launcher module at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the corps announced on 9 June. One of the first USMC …

• Military Logistics

  Paris Air Show: KC-390 preps for IOC (video)

  22nd June 2017

  Embraer’s KC-390 transport aircraft is on track to achieve initial operating capability (IOC) later this year, with the aircraft recently completing armoured vehicle and cargo loading qualifications. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Boeing to ink EMD Chinook contract

  14th June 2017

  Boeing expects to ink the engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) contract for the manufacture of three CH-47F Block II aircraft before the end of August …

• Special Operations

  SOF goes cyber

  12th June 2017

  Details have emerged regarding a joint training exercise conducted by the US Army Cyber Command and Dutch Defence Cyber Command (DCC), aimed at developing a …

• Training

  Taiwan to induct laser engagement training system

  16th June 2017

  Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) will invest NT$970 million ($32.2 million) over the next three years to continue development of a new laser engagement …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10 [China]

  Programme Background The aircraft performed its maiden flight in 1998 and entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2004. According to ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Data links

  Data links | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Corvettes

  Jiangdao Class (Type 056)

  Programme Background The Type 056 corvette is referred to by the Chinese as the new-generation light guided-missile frigates. They have been built for the People's Liberation ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Rapid Minelayers Procurement (1-4) [Taiwan]

  Development and Procurement Four new rapid minelayers are being built for the Taiwanese Navy in a bid to counter the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Rapid Minelayers Procurement (5-10) [Taiwan]

  Programme Background Requirements The revelation of a Chinese bridge-barge landing system for amphibious operations, designed for a Taiwan invasion, has underscored the need for Taipei ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Kalyani M4 (India)

  Programme Background In the wake of border clashes with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2020, the Indian Army has accelerated several of its ...

• Frigates

  Jiangkai II Class (Type 054A)

  Built by Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard and Huangpu shipyards the frigates were first seen being constructed from 2005. The class is referred to as the workhorses of China's ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  VP1/Type 89 (Nigeria)

  Programme Background The Nigerian Army has an ongoing need for new armoured vehicles to replace losses incurred in its conflict with extremist organisations operating within ...

• Corvettes

  Shadhinota Class (Type C13B)

  The Shadhinota class (Type C13B) corvettes are a platform based on the Type 056 Jiangdao class used by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), built by the ...

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

  J-22 Loyal Wingman [China]

  Background J-20 Loyal Wingman In 2024, at the biennial Zhuhai air show in southern China, the FH-97A was displayed, a drone designed to, among other things, ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  S26T [Thailand]

  Programme Background The Royal Thai Navy has been in the process of acquiring a new submarine for a number of years. They formally selected China's ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C, Transport

  Y-8

  The Y-8 (Yunshuji-8) medium-sized transport and multirole aircraft was developed by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation and is based on the Soviet Antonov An-12. More than 36 ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Z-8

  Developed by Changhe Aircraft Industry Group, the Z-8 (known also as Z-18) is a derivative of the AC313 civil helicopter, which is itself a copy of ...

• Submachine guns

  CS/LS2

  Norinco’s CS/LS2 is a 9mm bullpup SMG designed for use with a suppressor. It has been in service with the People's Liberation Army since about ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-8

  The J-8 (NATO reporting name Finback) is a multirole fighter domestically developed by China. It has design similarities with Soviet MiG-21 and Su-15 aircraft.  The ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10

  The J-10 (NATO reporting name Firebird) is a multirole fighter developed by China to replace second-generation J-7 and Q-5 aircraft. The aircraft is also known ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  KZ-800

  China National Electronics Import and Export’s (CEIEC) KZ-800 is an airborne Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) gathering system believed to be in widespread use onboard People’s Liberation ...

• Armoured engineer vehicles

  Type GCZ110

  Norinco announced in 2014 that it had completed development of the Type GCZ110 armoured engineer vehicle based on a modified Type 79 tank chassis equipped ...

• Tanks

  VT2

  The 125mm-armed VT2 tracked MBT, which was unveiled at DSA 2012, is the export version of the People's Liberation Army Type 96A. As of early ...

• Fighter - ground attack

  J-16

  The J-16 is a multirole fighter developed by China. It is based on the J-11 air superiority fighter, itself a licence-built version of the Russian ...

• EO/IR systems

  Loong Eye LE380

  The Loong Eye (Dragon's Eye) LE380 is a two-axis stabilised gimbal incorporating EO/IR sensors, laser designators, and laser rangefinders. Originally developed by the Luoyang Opto-Electro ...

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

  Sky Saker FX400A

  The Sky Saker FX400A is a fixed-wing drone manufactured by Norinco. Capable of hosting both ISR and attack payloads, such as the Blue Arrow 7 ...

• Air-to-air missiles, Surface-to-air missiles

  TY-90

  TY-90 is a multi-purpose, short-range, IR-guided, tactical surface-to-air missile developed by China to defend against helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and cruise missiles at low and super-low ...

• Medium/general-purpose machine guns

  Type 80

  The Type 80 is a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) manufactured by Norinco in China, based on the Soviet PKM. Certified in 1980, it entered PLA ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  Yu-11 lightweight torpedo

  Yu-11 is a Chinese-made surface and air-launched lightweight torpedo to repel submarine threats from long distances.

• Tanks

  Type 62

  The Type 62 light tank entered production for the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1963. Essentially a smaller, lighter clone of the Type 59 MBT, it is ...