Defence Notes

France unveils new strategic review as Macron vows to accelerate defence spend

The 2025 National Strategic Review highlights the importance of readiness against a growing Russian threat and was published days after a speech from the French President Macron who called for an increase in defence spending worth €6.5 billion by 2027.

Air Warfare

France and UK to resume and upgrade Storm Shadow/SCALP production

The new ‘Entente Industrielle’ will work on a range of other projects to boost the UK economy and defence industry, including joint development on new high-tech frequency weapons and extended range air-to-air missiles.

Defence Notes

Europe turns to industrial and procurement co-operation with Ukraine as supplies continue

Equipment has continued to flow into Ukraine from the European Union (EU), NATO and western countries as the war against Russia continues but other types of support with longer-term prospects are appearing.

Naval Warfare

Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule

The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.

More Stories

Uncrewed Vehicles

ESA antenna strengthens Adaro C2 and ISR capabilities

17th September 2020

Israel-based Get SAT is providing its Ultra-Blade L-band electronically steerable array (ESA) antenna to SeaLandAire Technologies for installation on the X-class Adaro small USV. Both companies …
Defence Notes

'Grey zone' operations could benefit from directed-energy weapons

17th September 2020

In addition to the benefits that lasers and other directed-energy weapons (DEW) can provide to armed forces in terms of new capabilities, they represent a …
Air Warfare

Afghanistan welcomes final batch of A-29s

17th September 2020

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) has received its final four A-29 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft out of 26 ordered from the US. ‘The AAF now …
Defence Notes

Academic researchers support DARPA chip-scale integrated photonics programme

17th September 2020

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is joining the DARPA-run Lasers for Universal Microscale Optical Systems (LUMOS) programme under a $19.21 …
Air Warfare

Laser targeting system adds potential to reconfigure Yak-130

17th September 2020

Integration of the SOLT-25 IR/TV/laser targeting and designation system could facilitate the long-discussed transformation of the Yak-130 jet trainer into a light attack aircraft. An …
Air Warfare

USAF seeks answer to ‘money question’ after first NGAD prototype flight

17th September 2020

The USAF has secretly flown a full-scale prototype of a Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft, developed and built using digital design techniques and technologies. The service …
Naval Warfare

Latest Spearfish trials leave RN confident

17th September 2020

The UK RN says its Spearfish Mod 1 heavyweight torpedo upgrade is on the ‘cusp of front-line service’, following the latest four-day set of trials …
Air Warfare

RAAF receives extra support for F-35A induction

17th September 2020

Lockheed Martin is providing additional labour resources to support the induction of the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II multirole fighter. A …
Naval Warfare

RN embarks on experimental deployment of Littoral Response Group

17th September 2020

An RN task group, led by the landing platform dock ship HMS Albion, has departed the UK for a three-month deployment to the Mediterranean and …
Uncrewed Vehicles

Australia homes in on new ASW target

16th September 2020

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will receive Saab’s AUV62-AT anti-submarine warfare target under an A$11 million ($8.07 million) deal, while elsewhere research is taking place …
Digital Battlespace

USN to test MS-177A long-range imaging sensor

16th September 2020

Collins Aerospace has been awarded a $19.9 million contract by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), to build and provide a MS-177A long-range multi-spectral imaging …
Air Warfare

Tie-up strengthens Spanish input for European programmes, say Tecnobit and UAV Navigation

16th September 2020

Tecnobit-Grupo Oesía and UAV Navigation have signed a strategic collaboration agreement, with a view to augmenting the Spanish contribution to major European military aviation developments …
Air Warfare

Greece orders Rafales amid broader procurement surge

16th September 2020

Dassault is to supply 18 Rafale multirole fighters to Greece, to continue the relationship between the French aircraft manufacturer and the Hellenic Air Force. The …
Digital Battlespace

General Dynamics to build wide-band radomes for F-16s

16th September 2020

General Dynamics Mission Systems has been awarded a $17.54 million contract to produce wide-band radomes for USAF F-16 aircraft that are equipped with AESA radars. …
Defence Notes

Concerns raised over UK F-35 operational balance

16th September 2020

Defence analysts have questioned whether the UK F-35 programme can be built up to readily support a broad range of air, land and sea-based missions. …
Uncrewed Vehicles

First Loyal Wingman ground tests occur in Australia

16th September 2020

Boeing Australia announced on 15 September that the first ground engine tests of the Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft had taken place. This is a necessary step before …
Naval Warfare

Japan contemplates difficult alternatives to Aegis Ashore

15th September 2020

The Japanese MoD is considering alternatives to Aegis Ashore, with three potential ballistic missile defence (BMD) plans encompassing an isolated installed launcher, mega-floating platform or …
Defence Notes

Germany spends big on digitalisation and guided munitions

15th September 2020

The German Armed Forces are poised for a funding injection, after parliament gave the green light to new investment with an emphasis on digitalisation and …
Defence Notes

UK MoD personnel tested for COVID-19 passes 20,000 mark

15th September 2020

More than 20,000 service and civilian personnel working for the UK MoD have been tested for COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic, with 463 …