• Naval Warfare

  RN plans Type 45 ballistic missile defence, eyes future counter-hypersonic capability

  28th February 2022

  The UK RN will upgrade its Type 45 destroyers to provide a ballistic missile defence capability while detailing plans for the ship's replacements to feature counter-hypersonic equipment.

• Defence Notes

  WDS 2022: Saudi firms continue push towards Vision 2030

  10th March 2022

  While the Saudi defence sector continues its push to contribute to the national Vision 2030 economic modernisation programme, contracts awarded during WDS 2022 reveal there is still a role for international companies as well.

• Defence Notes

  EU countries seek ways to foster defence innovation

  10th December 2021

  EDA member states intend to create a Defence Innovation Hub within the agency in order to equip their armed forces with cutting edge systems and enable them to succeed on the battlefield of tomorrow.

• Digital Battlespace

  Quantum technology attracts French attention

  6th January 2022

  The French MoD has launched a national quantum computing platform that will perform calculations up to 1 billion times faster than conventional computing. The system will be available to researchers and specialists.

• Defence Notes

  Ukraine invasion should prompt geostrategic rethink by outgunned and outnumbered UK (Opinion)

  25th February 2022

  The need for the UK to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine risks making the ‘Global Britain’ defence strategy appear a case study in hubris.

• Air Warfare

  Remarkable turnaround sees Germany pick F-35 and Eurofighter ECR

  15th March 2022

  Germany has decided it will buy both the F-35 and a Eurofighter electronic combat role aircraft, defying a proposal from the last government.

• Defence Notes

  EDA members look beyond traditional research partners

  9th December 2021

  EDA member countries are ramping up efforts to involve universities, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs and non-defence related companies in their programmes to develop innovative solutions.

• Defence Notes

  Russia-Ukraine war challenges UK force structure assumptions (Opinion)

  25th March 2022

  Barely a year after the publication of the Integrated Review, the UK MoD now finds itself observing a major conflict in Europe, and it will have to draw conclusions on what this means for force structures and presence.

• Defence Helicopter

  AW149 undergoes weapons firing trials

  17th February 2022

  An AW149 helicopter test-fired unguided and laser-guided rockets in trials in an undisclosed European country.

• Defence Notes

  US reinforces eastern NATO flank

  8th March 2022

  Approximately 500 military personnel will be sent from the US to locations in Europe to bolster the deterrence and defence capabilities of NATO. More KC-135 refuelling aircraft will also be deployed in the region.

• Air Warfare

  Providing the powerful alternative for close air support (Studio)

  17th February 2022

  As European militaries look to the future of close air support (CAS) for ground forces, light attack aircraft could prove a low-cost, versatile option, according to industry experts.

• Air Warfare

  Leonardo launches tender for AW249 helicopter transceivers

  15th February 2022

  Leonardo has announced its intention to issue a call for tender for TACAN transceivers for use on AW249 helicopters.

• Naval Warfare

  French landing craft programme crawls past milestone

  15th December 2021

  The French Navy has received its first two EDA-S craft but it will take some time before all of them enter service.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  General Atomics expands Belgian SkyGuardian support team

  11th February 2022

  Two more Belgian companies join the domestic industry support team for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian.

• Defence Notes

  Forewarned is forearmed: Poland fast-tracks procurement and surges defence spending

  23rd March 2022

  Long-standing concerns over potential Russian aggression meant that Poland was already positioned to react to the invasion of Ukraine by raising defence spending and procuring new equipment.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that the EDA ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT Follow-On (NATO)

  Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that the EDA ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S [France]

  Programme Background Following the announcement of the 14-ship contract, the DGA approved the design of the first two standard amphibious landing craft (EDA-S) in October 2019, ...

• Tanks

  New MBT [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• Tanks

  M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• OPVs

  Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  Programme Background Timeline In mid-2017, Sri Lanka was considering purchasing a Gepard 5.1-class (Project 1166.1) frigate from Russia. The delivery was planned based on an ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements The 2021-2023 Documento Programmatico Pluriennale (DPP) - a multi-year defence planning document from the Italian MoD - includes a plan to acquire eight "Patrol Ships", ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Mine-protected vehicles

  Surplus Maxxpro (Bangladesh - First Batch)

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is advancing plans to procure four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft from the United States through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S

  The Engins de Debarquement Amphibie - Standards (EDA-S) is an amphibious landing craft built by CNIM in partnership with Socarenam, Mauric and CNN MCO. It ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-R

  Four EDA-R (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie-Rapide) fast amphibious landing craft were ordered for the French Navy in 2009 after a 12-month evaluation. They are designed ...

• Patrol boats

  Marine Protector Class

  The Marine Protector-class of coastal patrol boats (CPBs) was ordered in 1996 to replace the USCG's Point-class vessels. Fifty boats were originally ordered, which was ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  LOTUS

  The LOTUS, Low Observable Tactical Unnamed System, is a tactical UAV especially designed for border patrol ISR operations.  The development of the project is funded by ...

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  ENR

  The NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter is equipped with the European Navy Radar (ENR) developed by Thales in conjunction with Airbus and Leonardo. 

• Frigates

  Aquitaine Class (FREMM)

  The Aquitaine-class frigates for the French Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata Europea Multi-Missione). For France, the ships ...

• Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  AE50R

  The AE50R is an aviation gasoline single rotary engine with an output of 40.4kW. The engine is certified according to European Aviation Safety Agency Part ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

  The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a two-person, light scout helicopter with a day/night mast-mounted sight, glass cockpit and four-bladed rotor system. Following the retirement of ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  One 150

  The One 150 is a tactical UAV manufactured by Primoco UAV. The UAV is designed for commercial and military use and can be configured to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Sky-X

  The Sky-X UCAV was conceived for demonstration and research purposes and in 2005 became the first European-designed UAV over 1000 kg and with performance comparable ...

• Patrol boats

  Reliance Class Cutters

  The Reliance-class cutters, also known as Medium Endurance Cutters, are in service with the US Coast Guard (USGC). They work alongside the Famous-class ships on ...

• Frigates

  Bergamini Class (FREMM)

  The Bergamini-class frigates for the Italian Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata europea multi-missione). For Italy, the ...

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

  AVE-C/D

  The AVE-C/D is a flight control system UAV demonstrator (AVE-C) and stealth UAV demonstrator (AVE-D), forming part of the R&D; programme initiated by the French ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  Eagle IV

  The General Dynamics European Land Systems Eagle IV is a family of wheeled APCs in use by NATO member states. It is available in 4x4 ...

• Major networking projects

  Ballistic Missile Defence

  In early 2010, NATO acquired the first phase of an initial theatre ballistic missile defence capability to protect alliance forces.