• Defence Helicopter

  Maiden flight for Surion variant

  23rd January 2015

  A variant of the Surion helicopter destined for service in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) completed its first flight on 19 January 2015 …

• Land Warfare

  Nammo receives US military IDIQ M27 contract

  6th January 2015

  Nammo Talley will supply the M72 Light Assault Weapon (LAW) to the US military under a four-year indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract announced on …

• Land Warfare

  USMC issues armour challenge

  17th December 2014

  A new stand-alone armour system to provide protection against heavy machine guns (HMGs) is being sought by the USMC. In cooperation with the US Defense …

• Defence Notes

  Russian defence companies see growth, for now

  16th December 2014

  Russian defence companies saw a 20% rise in sales last year, according to a new report analysing the world’s top 100 arms producers. Several Russian …

• Digital Battlespace

  RfT released for NZ soldier tactical simulation

  15th December 2014

  A Request for Tender has been released by the New Zealand Defence Force to procure a Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) to train dismounted and …

• Land Warfare

  Dutch reverse MBT decision

  9th December 2014

  The Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) is planning to reinstate a limited tank capability, it has emerged. Shephard has learned that the Dutch military has commenced …

• Land Warfare

  Samsung sells defence business to Hanwha

  9th December 2014

  The South Korean giant, Samsung Group has abruptly agreed to sell its majority 32.35% stake in its defence arm to the Hanwha group. Hanwha’s bid …

• Land Warfare

  US bridging system rolls on

  9th December 2014

  The US Army and USMC are pushing ahead with the procurement of their new Joint Assault Bridge (JAB). A draft executive summary for the production …

• Defence Helicopter

  RAN commissions HMAS Canberra

  28th November 2014

  The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has commissioned its first Landing Helicopter Dock, HMAS Canberra, in a ceremony held at Garden Island, Sydney, marking the vessel’s …

• Land Warfare

  Russian army to purchase new SP antitank guns

  20th November 2014

  The Russian Ministry of Defence plans to purchase up to 30 upgraded 2S25 Sprut SD 125mm self-propelled anti-tank guns (SPATG) by the end of December.  …

• Defence Helicopter

  Netherlands examines SOF Air concept

  19th November 2014

  The Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command (DHC) has begun working up plans to establish a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Air capability, officials have revealed to Shephard. …

• Land Warfare

  Taiwan trials next generation equipment

  9th October 2014

  Taiwan’s Airborne Special Operations Forces have trialled the 5.56mm Multi-utilisation Special Rifle (MSR) during Exercise Han Kuang in September. Produced by the state-owned 205th Arsenal …

• Defence Helicopter

  AUSA 2014: Sikorsky unveils S-97 prototypes

  8th October 2014

  The first two S-97 Raider helicopter prototypes have been unveiled by Sikorsky, ahead of commencement of the programme’s test flight activities. The aircraft has been …

• Land Warfare

  Thales Australia F90 assault rifle to enter LRIP for ADF

  26th September 2014

  Thales Australia will begin Low Rate Initial Production of its F90 assault rifle under a contract from the Australian Department of Defence announced on 23 …

• Land Warfare

  IWI launches new sight for TAVOR, X95 assault rifles

  23rd September 2014

  Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has introduced a new foldable, detachable, stainless steel sight designed for the TAVOR and X95 families of assault rifles, the company …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BMD-4M

  Programme Background Since 2017, 11 battalion sets of the BMD-4M have been delivered to units of the VDV in addition to 27 located at the ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BTR-MDM Rakushka

  Programme Background Since 2016, 11 battalion sets of BTR-MDMs are known to have been delivered to units of the VDV in addition to 12 platforms ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ZAHA (Turkey)

  Programme Background The Turkish Navy has need of a tracked amphibious assault vehicle to support ship-to-shore beach landings carried out from its TCG Anadolu-class Landing ...

• Fighter - naval

  Future Naval Fighter China

  The PLAN started development work in 2011 for the Type 075 with the aim of increasing the "vertical" amphibious assault capability, with the mountainous East ...

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS (Japan - 2nd Batch)

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Landing Platform Docks [India]

  In August 2021, the Indian Navy issued a Request for Information (RfI) for four LPDs, resurrecting an earlier failed effort to acquire large amphibious assault ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Ivan Gren Class (Project 11711)

  Programme Background The Ivan Gren-class (Project 11711) large amphibious assault ships (LST) have been designed for the Russian Navy by Nevskoe Design Bureau to undertake landing operations ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KAAV II

  Programme Background The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) operates one Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship and has launched another to support provide operational lift for the ROKMC. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-12

  Kalashnikov publicly unveiled the AK-12 assault rifle in January 2012. The AK-12 uses the same gas-operated long-stroke piston system as previous Kalashnikov rifles. A 5.45x39mm ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  SKAT 350

  Based on the Supercam 350, the SKAT 350 is a mini fixed-wing UAV manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern JSC. The drone was revealed in early 2024, ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-19

  The Kalashnikov Concern unveiled its developmental AK-19 assault rifle in August 2020. Compared to the AK-12 assault rifle upon which it is based, the AK-19 ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  GP-34

  Kalashnikov designed the single-shot GP-34 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher for use with the company’s 5.45mm, 5.56mm and 7.62mm assault rifles. The sight allows the firer ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-101/103

  The AK-100, or Century series, applies modern production techniques to the legacy AK design. The 5.56mm AK-101 and 7.62mm AK-103 are full-length assault rifles. Forearm, ...

• Light machine guns

  RPK-16

  Kalashnikov unveiled its 5.45x39mm RPK-16 light support weapon at the Army 2016 exhibition. Intended to supersede the RPK-74 light machine gun, the RPK-16 can be ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-15

  Developed under the Ratnik modernisation programme, the AK-15 assault rifle was first unveiled in 2016. It is designed for elite units and law enforcement and ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  AK-200

  The AK-200 family of assault rifles and carbines was developed by the Kalashnikov Concern for export customers and domestic law enforcement agencies. Designed as an ...

• Pistols

  PL-15

  The PL-15 is a double-action-only pistol chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm parabellum cartridge. Developed by firearms designer and target shooter Dmitry Lebedev and manufactured by ...

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

  Legionnaire E33K

  The Legionnaire E33K is a small fixed-wing UAV developed by Kalashnikov Concern. The drone is designed for various tasks, including cargo carrying.  An electric motor powers ...

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

  Karakurt

  The Karahurt is a Russian tube-launched rotary-wing platform manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. It bears visual similarities with SpearUAV's range of drones and has been designed ...

• Light machine guns

  RPL-20

  After testing with the RPK-16 light machine gun uncovered several issues with the design, Kalashnikov initiated development of the new RPL-20 light machine gun to ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  PCS-5/5M GABRO

  The PCS-5/PCS-5M passive NVD is a lightweight telescopic sight designed for use on portable weapons. It can be used for battlefield observation, detection and target ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  BR18

  The BR18 is a compact mission-configurable weapon system built by ST Engineering Land Systems. The BR18 has a patented forward ejection system and is one of ...

• Light machine guns

  Negev NG7 LMG

  The 7.62x51mm Negev NG7 is a further development of the Negev 5.56mm light machine gun and was adopted by the IDF in 2012. The NG7 can ...