• Training

  PLAAF makes major reforms to fast-jet pilot training

  18th March 2021

  The PLAAF has introduced changes to the fast-jet pilot training curriculum and added a new advanced trainer — but major shortcomings persist.

• Air Warfare

  ATS achieves flight milestone and new contract

  3rd March 2021

  ​Australia is doubling its commitment to the Loyal Wingman programme just as the Airpower Teaming System made its maiden flight.

• Defence Notes

  US widens arms export gap over Russia

  19th March 2021

  Newly released data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that the US has consolidated its position as the world's leading arms exporter, increasing its lead over Russia in the process.

• Land Warfare

  China donates mobile hospital to Argentina

  16th February 2021

  The Argentinian MoD has received 13 Kangfei BLAT30EX14V trucks donated by China. The vehicles work as a mobile hospital and feature first aid equipment, X-ray, biochemical laboratory and sterilisation system.

• Naval Warfare

  China ends corvette production run

  22nd February 2021

  The Type 056 corvette exemplifies the rapid pace and capability of Chinese naval shipbuilding, with 72 built in the past decade.

• Naval Warfare

  In focus – composition, aims and future of UK carrier strike

  17th February 2021

  ​Deployment of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Indo-Pacific in a few months is intended to be its defining military operation of the year, during which its armed forces are likely to face cuts amid a significant downturn in spending.

• Training

  Kazakh Navy highlights readiness in force protection exercise

  25th February 2021

  With its vitally important geostrategic location between Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan recently held a force protection exercise in the Caspian Sea.

• Defence Notes

  Myanmar military pleads ‘major cabinet reshuffle’ in coup

  4th February 2021

  Myanmar's military proves it cannot loosen its grip on the country, but it will still have no trouble obtaining equipment from non-Western sources.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Heron TPs swoop into Indian lease

  17th February 2021

  In addition to leasing two SeaGuardians, the Indian military has added some Heron TPs as it attempts to crank up aerial surveillance.

• Naval Warfare

  China supports Sudanese patrol boat upgrade

  2nd February 2021

  Sudanese vessels seem to have been fitted with the Norinco CS/AN2 30mm gun mount, as one more sign of Chinese influence.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Pakistan is confirmed as CH-4 UAV importer

  5th February 2021

  Pakistan has been evaluating Chinese-built UAVs, and rumours have swirled about bulk purchases, but its first acquisition has been confirmed.

• Air Warfare

  Aero India 2021: Rafael showcases Spice 250 with extended range

  3rd February 2021

  New variant of Spice 250 is put on display during Aero India 2021; while there are no confirmed orders yet from India, manufacturer Rafael is selling its Spike ATGM to meet an urgent operational requirement.

• Defence Helicopter

  Australia denies any interest in HH-60W CRH

  19th February 2021

  Contrary to past reports linking Australia to interest in an order for HH-60W combat helicopters, there is no such connection, according to the country's Department of Defence.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  HALE Platforms Provide Vigilance for a Changing World (Studio)

  3rd March 2021

  For Northrop Grumman, ‘deterrence by detection' is crucial to the future development of the Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) platform.

• Training

  BISim dampens China speculation

  10th February 2021

  Bohemia Interactive Simulations says it has no commercial links to Bohemia Interactive, following Chinese investment by Tencent Holdings in the latter.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  Garmoosha [UAE]

  Programme Background First Contract In an interview with Shephard at the Dubai Airshow 2021, Faisal Al Bannai, CEO of EDGE, stated the development of the ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  S-70M Black Hawk [Indonesia]

  Programme Background On 23 August 2023, Lockheed Martin announced that Sikorsky had signed an agreement with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for a strategic partnership in ...

• AEW&C

  GlobalEye (1-3) [UAE]

  Programme Background The GlobalEye is a modification of Bombardier's Global 6000 jet aircraft fitted with the S-band Erieye Extended Range (ER) radar and mission system ...

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

  HT-100 [Undisclosed]

  Programme Background At the Dubai Airshow 2023, EDGE Group announced that it had accepted an order for six HT-100 drones. The drones will be supplied ...

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

  JERNAS-S [UAE]

  Background 2023 At the Dubai Airshow 2023, held in November, EDGE Group announced that the UAE Armed Forces had acquired 100 units of the Reach-S, ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (4-5) [UAE]

  Programme Background United Arab Emirates Air Force had a requirement for three tanker aircraft. Boeing confirmed that the UAE sent an official request for three ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Sky Mantis (Ukraine Aid) [UK]

  Programme Background Reuters Report Speaking to Reuters in March 2024, Evolve Dynamics stated that about 100 Sky Mantis drones were flying in Ukraine, highlighting a ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | FA-50 [Philippines]

  The Philippines Department of National Defence has decided to double the nation's fleet of FA-50s by purchasing twelve new aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries for ...

• Data links

  Data links | FA-50 [Philippines]

  The Philippines Department of National Defence has decided to double the nation's fleet of FA-50s by purchasing twelve new aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries for ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | FA-50 [Philippines]

  The Philippines Department of National Defence has decided to double the nation's fleet of FA-50s by purchasing twelve new aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries for ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | FA-50 [Philippines]

  The Philippines Department of National Defence has decided to double the nation's fleet of FA-50s by purchasing twelve new aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries for ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | FA-50 [Philippines]

  The Philippines Department of National Defence has decided to double the nation's fleet of FA-50s by purchasing twelve new aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries for ...

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

  Wing Loong II (Saudi Arabia)

  Programme Background  Contract Saudi Arabia was planning to buy Western-made UAVs such as Predator or Reaper. However, Missile Control Technology Regime (MCTR) imposed restrictions on the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-16V [Philippines]

  The U.S. State Department confirmed the approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $5.58 billion for 20 F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. The Defence Security ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-16V [Philippines]

  The U.S. State Department confirmed the approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $5.58 billion for 20 F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. The Defence Security ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  AR-2000

  Unveiled by the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) at the Dubai Air Show 2023, the AR-2000 is a large rotary-wing drone designed for ...

• VD200

  The VD200 is a tail-sitting VTOL UAV which is able to transition to fixed-wing horizontal flight. The UAV was displayed by CADI, a subsidiary of ...

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

  SW-1

  The fixed-wing SW-1 is designed to perform tactical ISTAR missions. It was displayed at the Airshow China exhibition in November 2012. 

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

  TD220

  The TD220 is an electric, coaxial dual-rotor UAV manufactured by Zhong Hang Zhi (ZHZ). The aircraft, which debuted at the 2014 Singapore Airshow, is designed ...

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

  Sky Archer

  The Sky Archer is a short-endurance unmanned quadcopter designed for military use. It weighs 38kg and can reportedly carry two 50mm recoilless rocket launchers. 

• Awing-F100J

  Awing-F100J is the latest UAV from Tianjin-based Quadrant Space (Tianjin) Technology and was displayed at the 11th Zhuhai Airshow in China for the first time ...

• Self-propelled missile systems

  Sky Dragon 12

  Norinco presented a model of the FK-1000 short-range SAM system at Airshow China 2012 and unveiled the newly-named Sky Dragon 12 at Africa Aerospace and ...

• Transport

  Y-20

  Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation launched the development of the Y-20 strategic transport aircraft in 2006. The Y-20 incorporates a high-set wing, T-tail and rear cargo-loading ...

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

  Wing Loong 10

  The Wing Loong 10 is a HALE UAV, known as the WL-10 in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and formally known as the Cloud ...

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

  WJ-500

  WJ-500 is a stealthy subsonic UAV with a low radar signature and the appearance of a cruise missile with very short mid-mounted control surfaces. It ...

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

  WJ-600

  First revealed during the 2010 China Airshow, the WJ-600is a large-scale baseline UCAV manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and is a maritime ...

• Military - USVs

  SeaFly-01

  The SeaFly-01 USV, developed by Beijing Sifang Automation, was showcased at the 11th Zhuhai Airshow in China in November 2016. It is designed for various ...

• Awing-F20

  The Awing-F20 is a fixed-wing UAV designed by Quadrant Space (Tianjin) Technology. The platform was displayed at the 11th Zhuhai Airshow in China, alongside other ...

• Air: aerial targets

  TL-8

  The TL-8 is a target drone that can be used to simulate second- and third-generation fighters, cruise missiles and other targets in weapon testing and ...

• Awing-H100J

  The Awing-H100J is a rotary-wing UAV designed by Quadrant Space (Tianjin) Technology. The Awing-H100J was displayed at the 11th Zhuhai Airshow in China, alongside other ...