• Defence Helicopter

  Germany goes ahead with 60 Chinook order for nearly $9 billion

  6th July 2023

  The CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters will enhance Germany's heavy-lift capabilities and interoperability with allied nations.

• Air Warfare

  Japan develops long-range target observation munition to accompany missiles

  19th June 2023

  To guide long-range weapons, Japan is developing a new missile with the express purpose of providing observation and targeting data.

• Air Warfare

  India looks locally for aircraft MRO facilities

  9th May 2023

  India would like to promote more MRO by local vendors in order to save money when operating imported military aircraft.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  IDEX 2023: Israeli hydrogen-powered heavy lift UAS to fly by summer

  22nd February 2023

  Heven Drones expects the first flights with the hydrogen fuel-powered H2D 55 UAS to take place next July.

• Air Warfare

  Northrop Grumman advances airborne connectivity for US Air Force

  24th March 2023

  Northrop Grumman's Software Programmable Open Mission Systems Compliant (SPOC) multifunction processor will help define the USAF's approach to next-generation airborne radio.

• Naval Warfare

  Sweden rethinks plans for new ships with second-generation Visby programme in flux

  28th February 2023

  Sweden is reviewing its maritime requirements and is said to be looking abroad for new hulls.

• Air Warfare

  Sukhoi Su-35 fighters for Iran to arrive imminently amid controversy over jet's combat success

  15th May 2023

  Iran is poised to receive Sukhoi Su-35 fighters as part of its modernisation efforts while reports claim substantial losses of Russian fighters in the conflict with Ukraine.

• Land Warfare

  Israel-Hamas War: Israel’s fleet of armoured vehicles set to get their metal tested

  20th October 2023

  Israel appears to be set for a ground war in northern Gaza in what the Israeli government argues is an effort to destroy the capability of Hamas to attack Israel. It is an environment the IDF has fought in before and the army’s vehicles will likely have a key role.

• Air Warfare

  German industry teams up to develop sensors for FCAS fighter

  8th February 2023

  A consortium of four German companies has been contracted to develop key elements of the sensor network for the European Future Combat Air System.

• Training

  Sweden green-lights Gripen training for Ukraine, no jets offered

  26th May 2023

  Sweden and Ukraine still need to agree on formal details before training on the Swedish combat aircraft can begin, but Stockholm said the planned move does not mean Gripens will be given to Ukraine.

• Air Warfare

  Past financial woes won't affect US Air Force E-7A programme, Boeing says

  3rd March 2023

  Boeing said its recent financial issues on other defence programmes will not affect the USAF's E-7A programme and the first aircraft is expected to be operational by 2027.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show: Romania orders first batch of Watchkeeper X drones

  21st June 2023

  Romania has awarded Elbit Systems a $180 million purchase order for three Watchkeeper X Tactical UAS, the Israeli firm announced at the Paris Air Show.

• Air Warfare

  IDEX 2023: Collins Aerospace partners with Saudi firm on UAS development

  22nd February 2023

  Collins Aerospace will integrate a number of its mission systems and software with SRB Aerial Systems' UAS platforms under a memorandum of understanding that is hoped to evolve into a long-term strategic partnership.

• Training

  India trains fighter pilots in buddy-buddy refuelling as aerial tanker shortage hits home

  2nd May 2023

  Poor serviceability rates of India's Ilyushin Il-78 tanker aircraft mean fighter pilots are training using buddy-buddy refuelling between fast jets.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  SOF Week 2023: AeroVironment introduces VTOL kit for Puma AE UAS (video)

  11th May 2023

  AeroVironment has introduced the Puma VTOL kit, designed for plug-and-play integration into Puma 2 AE and Puma 3 AE small uncrewed aircraft systems.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Bandit (US)

  Programme Background Goal As stated by Alyson Turri, the AFRL Bandit programme manager, the goal is to "develop an unmanned platform that looks like a fifth-generation ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale - Follow-On (Greece)

  Programme Background Referring to the rearmament programme for 2020-2025, Greek defence minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos said in parliament on 7 October 2021 that up to 48 new multi-role ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (1-20) [Greece]

  Programme Background Timeline In April 2019, Defence Minister Evangelos Apostolakis confirmed the country’s serious interest in purchasing the F-35. He told the press that in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter (UAE)

  Programme Background Abu Dhabi has a long-standing interest in two squadrons of F-35, which had been refused until 2017 when it was reported that the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) [France]

  Programme Background The governments of France and Germany have launched the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with the issue of an ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter (Morocco)

  Programme Background In March 2019, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS of 25 F-16V Block 72 aircraft to Morocco ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) [Germany]

  Background Requirement The FCAS programme is based on the system-of-systems design, envisioning a "command fighter" aircraft that has stand-alone combat capability as well as controlling ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Data links

  Data links | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) [Spain]

  Programme Background Programme Timeline The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) was publicly announced in July 2017, followed by a Franco-German agreement in 2018. At the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Zero-G HMDS+

  The Zero-G HMDS+ is a developmental helmet-mounted display system being developed by Collins Aerospace and Elbit Systems for sixth-generation higher aircraft. According to the company, ...

• Data links

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a Ku-band data link designed for fifth-generation aircraft. The directional, interflight system is integrated into all F-35 variants, allowing ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Su-75 Checkmate

  Checkmate is a fifth-generation light tactical aircraft being developed by Sukhoi. Its prototype was unveiled at MAKS 2021. Checkmate's first flight is scheduled in 2023, ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Low Profile Head-Up Display (LPHUD)

  The Low profile Head-up Display (LPHUD) series is designed developed by Elbit Systems' ISTAR division, for fourth and fifth generation advanced fighter aircraft jets. Notalby, ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35C

  The F-35C Lightning II, also known as the F-35 carrier variant (CV), is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft in carrier configuration. It has larger wings and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A

  The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with CTOL capabilities. It is a multinational programme led by the US DoD, bringing together ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AL-41F-1S

  Manufactured by Saturn, the AL-41F-1S aircraft engine is a modular two-shaft turbofan engine with thrust vector control and integrated digital control. The engine is used ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PD-14M

  PD Family of Engines comprises of bypass two-shaft turbojet engines with a light shroudless fan. The PD family of engines are designed for short- and ...

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

  Python-5

  The Python-5 is an Israeli beyond-visual-range anti-air missile developed by Rafael. The newest member of the Python family, the Python-5 is described as a fifth-generation air-to-air ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  JSM

  The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multirole version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35B

  The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The USMC is the main customer for the F-35B, ...

• Land: air defence radar

  ELM-2026B VSHORAD

  The ELM-2026B Very Short Range Air Defence Radar (VSHORAD) is designed for detection and tracking of airborne targets, including a variety of low-RCS and low-flying ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Eagle V 4x4

  GDELS unveiled the fifth generation of its Eagle light tactical vehicle at Eurosatory 2012. The platform has replaced earlier-generation vehicles in production. More than 1,250 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-31/FC-31

  The J-31 (also known as the 'Falcon Eagle' in Chinese) is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter domestically developed by China. Its export variant is designated as ...

• ISR/special mission

  AC-130J

  The AC-130J 'Ghostrider' is a fifth-generation gunship manufactured by Lockheed Martin to replace the AC-130U/W gunships for the USAF deployed in 2019. The Ghostrider is a highly modified C-130J ...