• Defence Notes

  Defence business booms and order books build on the back of Russia–Ukraine war

  9th August 2024

  The half yearly and second quarter results of defence companies show mostly substantial increases in order books and sales, as supplying Ukraine, buying new equipment and replenishing stocks boosts contracts.

• Land Warfare

  European consortium submits plan for next-generation integrated UGS

  6th November 2024

  Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) is part of effort under the European Defence Fund (EDF) to develop next-generation multipurpose Uncrewed Ground Systems (UGS).

• Land Warfare

  First upgraded Turkish Leopard with APS to be delivered this year

  19th November 2024

  Turkey has experienced losses of tanks in Syria including Leopards to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). A new active protection system (APS) will reduce the likelihood of such attacks being effective.

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems shows Bofors 40mm naval gun as Tridon Mk2 land air defence system

  13th June 2024

  The Tridon Mk2 has been designed to be vehicle agnostic, building upon the mature Bofors 40mm naval gun with a focus on defeating UAS, aircraft, missiles and rockets.

• Land Warfare

  Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace

  20th November 2024

  In conversation... Patria’s Lauri Pauniaho talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about how high mobility levels are essential for mortar systems in the face of modern counter-battery fire, and how a new platform-agnostic module can combine existing vehicles and mortar barrels into a cost-effective new weapon system.

• Naval Warfare

  Chess Dynamics showcases counter-sUAV technology at Euronaval

  9th November 2024

  Chess Dynamics envisions more automony, modularity and leanness in counter-sUAV systems as threats and solutions mature.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia pushes ahead on reinstating heavy landing capability with selection of Damen

  25th November 2024

  Australia has been without a heavy landing capability since the retirement of the last of eight Balikpapan Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels in 2014. Work on new ships is expected to begin in 2026.

• Land Warfare

  Avon Protection contracted to develop integration between CBRN masks and suits

  12th November 2024

  Avon Protection has supplied millions of M50/M51 and M53/M53A1 air purifying respirators (APRs) in use across all branches of the US military for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection.

• Land Warfare

  SpearUAV awarded contract worth up to $60 million for Viper 300 loitering munition

  16th December 2024

  In addition to this significant contract, SpearUAV announced deals for both offensive systems such as the Viper 300 and Viper 750 systems for naval use along with defensive systems such as Viper I (Interceptor).

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2024: Lockheed Martin showcases an improved version of F-35 simulators

  6th December 2024

  Enhancements to the F-35 training system software will be deployed worldwide starting next year.

• Air Warfare

  China unveils new military kit and demonstrates technological prowess

  9th December 2024

  From the J-35A twin-engine fighter and the CH-7 stealth surveillance platform, to the Smart-configuration Support UAV and JARI-USV-A unmanned surface vessel, China has been showcasing its ability to project military power through recent technological innovations.

• Land Warfare

  Elbit Systems awarded $200 million contract to supply Iron Beam laser

  28th October 2024

  At AUSA 2024, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems outlined plans for three versions of its Iron Beam air defence system and said it expected to field the largest version next year.

• Land Warfare

  Trump orders the fast implementation of next-gen air and missile defence capabilities

  29th January 2025

  The US government has ordered the acceleration of the development and deployment of solutions to counter ballistic, hypersonic and advanced cruise missiles.

• Land Warfare

  Successful firing by US Army of Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile

  13th December 2024

  The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is the US Army’s next generation long-range surface-to-surface missile, capable of neutralising targets out as far as 500km.

• Land Warfare

  Future of the US Army’s IVAS programme remains unknown

  4th February 2025

  Despite recently releasing an Request for Information (RfI) under the IVAS programme, it remains unclear if the US Army will recompete the initiative.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV-30 PRTV [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 2) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BvS10 [Sweden]

  Programme Background The FMV announced that it had signed a contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds for 127 BvS10 MkIIBs in May 2021. These were to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Initial Batches) [USA]

  Background The Armored Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 3) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• Data links

  Data links | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | EA-37B [Italy]

  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract for two EA-37B Electronic Attack aircraft. BAE Systems is set ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (Batch 4) [USA]

  Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked vehicles. ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AMPV [USA]

  Background Platform development The US Army initiated the AMPV programme to acquire a replacement for several variants of the M113 tracked APC, which has been ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  CV90 [Czech Republic]

  Background The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its "Tracked IFV" programme to ...

• ISR/special mission

  EA-37B [Italy]

  Programme Background  On 21 July 2025, Italy awarded L3Harris, in partnership with BAE Systems, a $300 million contract to supply two EA-37B electronic attack aircraft. ...

• ISR/special mission

  Airborne Electonic Attack (1-2) [Italy]

  Programme Background The acquisition effort involves a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) for the procurement and installation of modifications and a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of ...

• OPVs

  River Class Batch 2

  Programme Background BAE Systems developed an improved version at the River class Batch 1 ships (which first entered service in 2003), to be dubbed the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  BAE Systems Avionics

  The avionics suite developed by BAE Systems, USA, is specifically designed for aircraft operating in harsh environments. The integrated suite includes caution and warning systems, ...

• Air: mission management systems

  BAE Systems Mission Computers and Display Systems

  The Mission Computers and Display Systems has been designed and developed by BAE Systems, UK, for military platforms. These systems are fully qualified to military, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  F-35 Training System

  BAE Systems is involved in F-35 Lightning II Training System design and sustainment, working with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems leads the instructional systems ...

• Land: air defence radar

  Celldar

  BAE Systems and Roke have developed the Celldar passive radar which detects disturbances to civilian Global System for Mobile Communications digital cellphone networks operating in ...

• Naval guns

  Bofors 40 mk4

  Bofors 40 Mk4 is a naval gun system developed and produced by BAE Systems. It was originally produced by Swedish Bofors, which was acquired by ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Interceptor Craft

  The Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) is a high-speed insertion craft developed and built by VT Halmatic, now part of BAE Systems Maritime. According to BAE ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Training Services

  Working in Saudi Arabia, BAE Systems is the prime contractor supplying training solutions. These include managing the design, development, delivery and integration of pilot and ...

• Major networking projects

  Defence Architecture Framework

  BAE Systems is developing a broad base of systems architecture expertise to execute network-centric warfare projects on behalf of the Australian Defence Force. This is ...

• Main battle tanks

  MPF Prototype

  In 1992, the US Army selected the M8 to meet its requirement for an air-transportable Armored Gun System, but the programme was cancelled for budgetary ...

• Transport

  BAe 146M/Avro RJM

  BAE Systems is offering previously owned BAE 146 and Avro RJ aircraft to air forces operating ageing turboprop and jet airliners for transport and communications ...

• Land: NVGs

  BAE Systems ENVG III/FWS-I

  The US Army tasked industry teams with meeting its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III and Family of Weapon Sight-Individual (ENVG III/FWS-I) programme goals of providing ...

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

  T-650

  Debuted at DSEI 2021, the T-650, or T650, is a multi-role quadcopter UAS manufactured by BAE Systems in collaboration with Malloy Aeronautics.  The electric-powered platform produces ...

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

  STRIX

  The STRIX is a prototype tandem-wing UAV that BAE Systems Australia is developing in collaboration with Innovaero. It is slated to begin operational service in 2026 and can be ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  L21 High Explosive (HE)

  The L21 High Explosive (HE) is a 155mm artillery shell manufactured by BAE Systems. The British Army uses the L21 with its Archer artillery systems.

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hawk Oman Training System

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) received a contract from BAE Systems to develop the Hawk Oman Training System (HOTS). The training system will ...