• Defence Notes

  N. Korea tested rocket launchers and 'tactical guided weapons'

  7th May 2019

  North Korea's state media said 5 May that leader Kim Jong Un had overseen a rocket and tactical guided weapons test, after the drill on …

• Naval Warfare

  US gives Vietnam more patrol boats as defence links grow

  2nd April 2019

  The US handed over six patrol boats and equipment worth $12 million to the Vietnamese coast guard, the embassy in Hanoi said 1 April 2019, …

• Naval Warfare

  US warship cruises disputed sea in Philippine war games

  11th April 2019

  A US warship laden with hi-tech fighter planes took centre stage at key war games in the Philippines on 11 April, brandishing military might as …

• Naval Warfare

  First Improved Kilo for the Russian Pacific Fleet launched

  31st March 2019

  The Admiralteyskye Verfy shipyard near St Petersburg, Russia, launched the first Project 636.3 Improved Kilo-class diesel-electric attack submarine for the Russian Pacific Fleet on 28 …

• Defence Notes

  Saab calculates Gripen's manufacturing mathematics

  27th March 2019

  If you are a new user and would like to read this article in full we are currently offering a free 24 hour trial of …

• Digital Battlespace

  Philippines receives final Israeli air surveillance radars

  18th March 2019

  In January the Philippines received the final two of three Elta ELM-2288-ER AD-STAR long-range air surveillance radars from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). These radars should …

• Naval Warfare

  Australia to launch Indian Ocean military exercises from Colombo

  15th March 2019

  Australia will launch a seven-nation Indian Ocean military exercise the week of 18 March 2019, starting in Sri Lanka where China has invested in strategic …

• Defence Notes

  Asia-Pacific dominates global defence spending

  14th March 2019

  Asia-Pacific nations figure prominently on the recently released list of top defence importers from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Indeed, the region is …

• Defence Notes

  China to raise defence spending by 7.5%, lower than 2018

  7th March 2019

  China announced on 5 March 2019 a 7.5% increase in military spending in 2019, lower than last year as the country faces an economic slowdown, …

• Land Warfare

  US Army’s AMPV enters LRIP phase

  22nd February 2019

  BAE Systems has received two contract modifications worth up to $575 million from the US Army to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Armoured …

• Digital Battlespace

  Avalon 2019: Growler gains new jamming pod

  28th February 2019

  Raytheon is working with the US Navy (USN) and Australia to develop a new jamming pod for the E/A-18G Growler that will work in the …

• Defence Notes

  China intimidates Philippine reconstruction on Thitu Island

  8th February 2019

  The Philippines has been constructing a new beaching ramp on Thitu Island in the South China Sea, a move that has drawn firm resistance from …

• Naval Warfare

  ADECS 2019: Led by China, Asian submarines grow more capable

  30th January 2019

  The capability of Asia’s submarine fleet is currently increasing, even if the total number of hulls ‘will taper off within a few years’. This was …

• Naval Warfare

  US conducts latest South China Sea sail-by amid trade talks

  7th January 2019

  A US Navy guided-missile destroyer on Monday sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea where Beijing has built military installations, sparking anger in …

• Training

  ADECS 2019: PLA emphasises force-on-force training

  22nd January 2019

  The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is investing a lot of effort to improve the training of personnel, with the overarching goal to make combat training …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  Next Generation Fighter Aircraft (Vietnam)

  Programme Background Requirement The Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) operates an ageing fleet of Su-22 aircraft as well as Su-27s and Su-30s. According to expert commentary, ...

• Frigates

  Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Vietnam]

  Programme Background On 25 August 2021, US Vice-President Kamala Harris disclosed the news on a visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, that the Vietnam Coast Guard's (Canh Sát ...

• Transport

  C-130J [Vietnam]

  Programme Background Requirement Vietnam’s interest in acquiring the C-130J reflects a broader effort to modernise its air transport fleet, which was previously dominated by Russian ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J [Vietnam]

  According to a July 2024 Reuters report, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is in advanced discussions with the United States to procure Lockheed Martin’s C-130J ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130J [Vietnam]

  According to a July 2024 Reuters report, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is in advanced discussions with the United States to procure Lockheed Martin’s C-130J ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J [Vietnam]

  According to a July 2024 Reuters report, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is in advanced discussions with the United States to procure Lockheed Martin’s C-130J ...

• Frigates

  Future Russian Built Frigates - Batch 3

  Programme BackgroundA total of four Russian built Gepard-class light frigates have been built and are in service with the Vietnamese Navy. The design was intended ...

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

  ScanEagle 2 (Malaysia)

  Programme Background Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) programme The RMN received the ScanEagle 2's thought to be provided by the US under the Maritime Security Initiative ...

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

  ScanEagle 2 (Philippines)

  Programme Background MSI ProgrammeThe Philippines are receiving the ScanEagle 2's thought to be provided by the US under the Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) programme. This ...

• Trainer

  Trainer Aircraft (1-12) [Vietnam]

  Programme Background After years of operating Russian-built military equipment, Vietnam is more willing to procure US-supplied equipment following the lifting of the arms embargo in ...

• Military UAS - small

  Indonesia - ScanEagle 2

  Programme Background As part of a large scale programme, Indonesia was set to receive eight ScanEagle UAS drone Insitu provided by the US under the Maritime ...

• Frigates

  Hamilton Class Cutter [Bahrain]

  Programme Background Very little has been said about the transfer of an ex-Hamilton-class cutter to Bahrain, but it is one of the final two to ...

• Military UAS - small

  Vietnam - ScanEagle 2

  Programme Background The Vietnamese Coast Guard are receiving the ScanEagle 2's thought to be provided by the US under the Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) programme. This ...

• Tanks

  T-90S/SK (Forecast) (Vietnam)

  Shephard estimates that Vietnam may have a requirement for up to 200 T-90S/SK MBTs to modernise its tank fleet. Minus the 64 that were already ...

• Data links

  Data links | T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  In December 2024, reports indicated that the Japanese Government selected the T-6C Texan II as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Corvettes

  Tarantul V Class (Project 1241.8)

  The Project 1241.8 class, also known as the Tarantul V class or Molniya-class, is the newest variant of the Tarantul class, which is a development ...

• Man-portable missile systems

  HN-5

  The HN-5 is a first-generation passive IR-homing MANPADS, produced by China, that reported to be reverse engineered from the Soviet Strela-2 (US DoD designation SA-7, ...

• MPVs - 4x4, Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  HMV-420P 'Mosquito'

  The HMV-420P 'Mosquito' 4x4 AFV is a modernised development of Cadillac Gage's Vietnam War-era Commando APC. It has been adapted for use by the Royal ...

• Land: air defence radar

  Vostok-E

  The Vostok-E is a two-dimensional radar manufactured in Belarus by KB Radar. It is designed to detect aerial platforms using modern solid-state technologies. The radar ...

• Artillery rockets

  AccuLAR

  The AccuLAR rocket is the latest member of IMI's AccuLAR precision rocket family.  The AccuLAR rocket is a GPS fused variant of LAR-160, with 14-40 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  XTC-02

  XTX-02 is an indigenous APC being developed in Vietnam. Its presence was revealed in August 2022 when leaked photographs published on social media has shown ...

• Tanks

  T-54M/M3

  Produced by Vietnam's state-owned Z153 plant, T-54M (formally T-54B cải tiến - "improved") is a major upgrade to the T-54 main battle tank, including a new fire control computer, an ...

• Frigates

  Hamilton Class

  The Hamilton-class cutter was originally the largest class of vessels operated by the US Coast Guard (USCG) before being replaced by the Legend-class. 12 cutters ...

• Patrol boats

  Project 10412

  Project 10412 is an export variant of the Russian Svetlyak-class multi-purpose patrol vessel built by both Vostochnaya Verf Shipyard in Vladivostok and the Almaz Shipbuilding Firm. Designed for littoral ...

• Military UGVs

  aunav.NEXT

  The aunav.NEXT, first presented in November 2013, was developed in collaboration with the Spanish National Police Corps for countering IED and CBRN threats. In March ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PT6A-34 turboprop

  The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop is a development of the PT6 engine which first flew in 1961 and entered service in 1964. The ...

• Crew-served grenade launchers

  MK19 grenade machine gun

  Originally developed to provide the USN with an effective weapon to arm riverine patrol craft during the Vietnam War, the MK19 grenade machine gun has ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  iSea-40HD

  The iSea-40HD is part of the iSea family of compact observation systems designed for maritime environments. It features a thermal camera with continuous optical zoom, ...

• Frigates

  Gepard 3.9 Class (Project 11661E) (Batch 2)

  The Gepard 3.9 class (Project 11661E) is one of the Russian Gepard class export variants. Four of Gepard 3.9 vessels are currently in service with ...

• Frigates

  Gepard 3.9 Class (Project 11661E) (Batch 1)

  The Gepard 3.9 class (Project 11661E) is one of the Russian Gepard class export variants. Four of Gepard 3.9 vessels are currently in service with ...