• Defence Notes

  Latest SBIRS missile warning satellite ready for 2022 launch

  7th October 2021

  Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS GEO-6 missile warning satellite for the US Space Force was completed in September 2021.

• Defence Notes

  Greek frigate procurement, GSOF on Afghanistan and air dominance (podcast)

  1st October 2021

  Welcome to Episode 39 of the third series of The Weekly Defence Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more.

• Air Warfare

  Canadian Hornets to receive improved radar

  23rd September 2021

  New AESA radar systems will equip RCAF CF-18As by March 2024.

• Land Warfare

  UK MoD awards Roke £6.7 million contract under Land ISTAR programme

  8th October 2021

  Roke’s ZODIAC will act as the central nervous system for Land ISTAR. The award marks the start of an Alpha development phase to derisk delivery of the programme.

• Land Warfare

  Javelin JV to provide extra support for Ukraine and other FMS customers

  11th March 2022

  Contract modification from US Army will see Raytheon and Lockheed Martin provide additional support to US users and 14 FMS customers.

• Land Warfare

  Thales unveils new Ground Observer 20 radar

  8th October 2021

  The new GO20 MM will provide Forces with a 360° detection of multiple threats

• Land Warfare

  South Korea to test Australian battery-powered Redback IFV

  25th February 2022

  An Australian-made lithium-ion battery will power the AS21 Redback IFV in tests with the Republic of Korea Army.

• Air Warfare

  AFSOC seeks shift in VTOL and amphibious capabilities

  25th September 2021

  AFSOC has an eye on the future with plans to test an amphibious MC-130J and acquire high-speed VTOL aircraft.

• Defence Notes

  Germany still to decide on P-8A weapons package

  6th October 2021

  Despite committing to spend €1.43 billion on five Boeing P-8A Poseidon MPA's, Germany is no closer to deciding on which weapons to invest in for the platforms.

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine to receive ex-Dutch sniper rifles

  23rd February 2022

  The Netherlands is the NATO member state to announce a military aid package for Ukraine, to include either Accuracy International or Barrett sniper rifles, or a combination of both.

• Land Warfare

  Nioa trials gun rail for Australian Defence modernisation

  14th March 2022

  Nioa is trialling T-Worx’s smart gun rail system, which could be brought into use with the Australian Defence Force.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AUSA 2021: UVision reveals its new HERO Multi-Canister Launcher

  11th October 2021

  UVision has introduced its new Hero Multi-Canister Launcher during the 2021 AUSA annual meeting.

• Defence Notes

  DoD urges more competition in call to shake up US defence industrial base

  23rd February 2022

  In its ‘State of Competition within the Defense Industrial Base’ report, the DoD warns that the trend of industry consolidation over the last three decades has created ‘a national security and economic risk to the nation’.

• Air Warfare

  USN orders Link 16 for Viper and Venom modifications

  23rd September 2021

  Northrop Grumman obtains a two-year deal to provide Link 16 B kits for UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopters.

• Land Warfare

  Italy expects new armoured vehicle prototypes

  28th February 2022

  More details have emerged about the contract CIO was awarded in December 2021 for new 8x8 VBM Combat Plus variant armoured vehicles for the Italian Army.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-12) [France]

  In November 2014, The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has confirmed purchase of 12 A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling aircraft from Airbus. The contract will cover the development and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Spain

  In December 2018, Spain Air Force took delivery of its first A400M. The aircraft will be operated by the Air Transport Wing (ATW) 31 of the ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Strategic Tanker Transport [Canada]

  Programme Background This project will replace the existing fleet capability, including strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, Aeromedical Evacuations and Strategic Government of Canada transport. The Strategic ...

• 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 ...

• 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) ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | 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) ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 [Hungary]

  Programme Background The aircraft for Hungary will be specially configured for tactical transport operations, air-to-air refuelling of the service's Saab Gripen C/D fighters, and medical ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-767 JBOT Trainer

  ACME has delivered a Remote Air Refueling Operator trainer to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The trainer supports the KC-767J tanker aircraft that has a remote ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT

  The 111t basic fuel capacity of the A330-200 airliner – from which the A330 is derived – enables the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

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

  X-47B UCAS

  The X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft, which was developed as part of the USN's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration project. The aircraft ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  MC-X Orca

  At DX Korea 2022, KAI presented an MC-X Orca medium transport aircraft concept model. The twin-engine aircraft is aimed at the Republic of Korea Air Force ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hellenic Air Force F-16 ATD

  L3Harris Technologies has delivered two F-16C Block 52+ Aircrew Training Devices (ATDs) to the Hellenic Air Force. The trainers enable pilots to hone air-to-air and ...

• Surface-to-air missiles, Loitering munitions

  359

  Unveiled in January 2025, the 359 is a surface-to-air (SAM) loitering munition. It is designed to engage targets such as AWACS, refuelling tankers, and other high-altitude surveillance and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Trailers

  M900 Series

  Heil’s M900-series tactical refuellers are designed and built to meet US military performance standards. The M967A2 ground equipment refueller and the M969A3 aircraft refueller are ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  M-346 FMS

  Developed in conjunction with CAE, the M-346 Full Mission Simulator (FMS) can emulate basic fighter manoeuvres, formation flight, in-flight refuelling and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  MB-339C

  The MB-339C is an advanced/lead-in fighter trainer developed based on the MB-339A that made its first flight in August 1976. The latest MB-339C version is ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  CF6-80E1A3

  The CF6-80E engines, developed by GE Aviation, power the newest generation of airliners such as Airbus A330. The engine incorporates a new 96-inch (2.44 meters) ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Transport, Refuelling and Sensor Aircraft Training

  Thales supports air force training needs for multi-mission aircraft in service around the world including A400M, MRTT/Voyager, Boeing Wedgetail, C-130 and KC-135, covering tactical airlift, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Fast Jet Training

  Thales provides a suite of training products for the life-cycle of military fast jet training. These encompass the design, development and establishment of training services ...

• ISR/special mission, Transport

  EC-130J Commando Solo

  The EC-130J Commando Solo is a special mission aircraft based on the C-130J transport airframe. It is used to conduct military information support operations and ...