• Training

  Challenger and Leopard tanks come with potential pitfalls for Ukraine

  19th January 2023

  British and German main battle tank models could make a difference to Ukraine's combat capabilities if provided in sufficient numbers, but training on and integration of the vehicles may cause headaches for Kyiv.

• Air Warfare

  What would supplying Western fighter jets mean for Ukraine?

  22nd February 2023

  The country currently operates a Soviet-era fleet of fast jets, including Su-24s, Su-25s, Su-27s and MiG-29s that have been in service for over 20 years.

• Training

  US Air National Guard begins construction of C-130J sim site

  12th January 2023

  The new C-130J simulators the US Air National Guard (ANG) is set to receive will feature various novel capabilities.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2022: Red Hawk jet trainer to be digital platform from day one

  7th December 2022

  Boeing's T-7A Red Hawk simulator and maintenance training system will allow pilots and ground crew to train in novel ways as soon as the platforms are delivered.

• Training

  Top trends in military training and simulation for 2023

  17th January 2023

  The training and simulation sector had a stimulating 2022, but this year may hold even more exciting technological developments for the industry. Bohemia Interactive Simulations' CPO Pete Morrison gave Shephard some hot topics to watch for 2023.

• Defence Helicopter

  Royal Navy helicopter crews transfer control of UAS in European first

  2nd February 2023

  Using technology supplied by QinetiQ, two Royal Navy helicopter crews successfully exchanged control of a UAS while in flight.

• Training

  US Navy expands Trident submarine training facilities

  13th January 2023

  A new facility will include a missile control centre team trainer and Naval Sea Systems Command weapon handling system team trainer for the Ohio-class submarine.

• Training

  US to train Ukrainian troops on Patriot air defence system

  11th January 2023

  Ukrainian soldiers will train in the US on the Patriot air defence system; the course will include classroom work, hands-on training and simulation.

• Land Warfare

  Boeing Defence Australia completes deliveries for Project Currawong

  22nd February 2023

  Project Currawong continues to develop as a communications system, but all the hardware elements have been delivered to the Australian military.

• Training

  Elbit bags another F-16 training centre contract

  10th January 2023

  Following a recent similar Polish contract, Elbit Systems has been selected to supply an F-16 mission training centre for the Israeli Air Force.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2022: Putting the USAF Pilot Training Next effort to the test

  1st December 2022

  The US Pilot Training Next 2.5 scheme has seemed a great success, but new assessment evaluation results provide hard data.

• Training

  Vrgineers showcases Apache and F-35 classroom trainer at I/ITSEC 2022

  1st December 2022

  Vrgineers' classroom training solutions include Apache, F-35 and F-16 variants. They can offer training opportunities for customers who sign contracts for advanced aircraft but have to wait until platforms and full mission simulators arrive.

• Naval Warfare

  Peru bets on local industry to supply naval needs

  1st February 2023

  Peru is backing domestic shipyard SIPA to build new vessels across multiple classes, but may yet need foreign design and construction expertise for programme success.

• Defence Notes

  ‘Balloongate’ lays bare Chinese hypocrisy over military surveillance (Opinion)

  13th February 2023

  China pretends that it does not spy on others. The recent balloon saga showed up that it not only conducts surveillance of multiple countries, but that it is willing to violate their airspace to do so.

• Digital Battlespace

  Qinetiq to accelerate mission data generation for UK MoD

  16th January 2023

  The ten-year partnership with the MoD will see the company supply data, EW, training and IT support capabilities to support UK military objectives.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack, Trainer

  PC-21 (Project Air 5428) [Australia]

  The new PTS, including aircraft, flight training simulators and learning environments is being acquired from a single capability contractor, Team 21, which consists of Lockheed ...

• Trainer

  PC-21 [Spain]

  Programme Background In January 2020, Pilatus was awarded a contract worth more than €200 million to provide the Spanish Air Force with 24 PC-21 Trainer ...

• 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 ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  A-29 Super Tucano Afghanistan

  Media reports suggest that with the hourly cost of $1000, the A-29 is a successful platform for counter-insurgency missions. Its operational capability from unprepared airstrips, ...

• Trainer

  T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  Programme Background  In January 2025, Textron Aviation confirmed that the T-6C Texan II was selected as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Light Attack/Trainer Aircraft - Ghana

  In 2013, the Chief of Ghana Air Force stated that A-29 is their preferred platform and this position was also submitted to the Government. In ...

• Military UAS - small

  ScanEagle [Bahrain]

  Background Training According to US State Department Foreign Military Training data, in 2018, eight Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) personnel took part in training courses to operate ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V [Slovakia]

  Background FMS approval Earlier in April 2018, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS deal of 14 F-16V aircraft for ...

• Trainer

  Basic Trainer Aircraft - Sweden

  Programme Background Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) announced a request for tender for the procurement of basic trainer aircraft on the eAvrop online portal on ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole fighters [Botswana]

  Programme Background Botswana is seeking to acquire a new multirole fighter to fulfil a gap left by the nations outdated fleet of F-5 aircraft. According to ...

• Transport

  Dornier Do-228 (Additional Aircraft) [India]

  Programme Background: On 10 March 2023, India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the procurement of six additional Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Air Force. ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  UH-72B [US Army]

  Background UH-72A replacement The 2026 order comes as preparations are underway to remove 220 older UH-72A models from initial pilot entry training. The UH-72B is ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 TTH [Qatar]

  Background Contract timeline In 2018, the contract for Qatar's NH90 fleet was signed. This contract also included 12 H125 training helicopters, detailed in a separate ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  NH90 NFH [Qatar]

  Background Contract timeline In 2018, the contract for Qatar's NH90 fleet was signed. This contract also included 12 H125 training helicopters, detailed in a separate ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW-149 [Poland]

  Background Requirement In 2020, Poland announced the launch of the Perkoz programme to acquire 32 support helicopters to replace its fleet of Mi-2 aircraft stationed ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  T-1 Jayhawk

  FlightSafety operates and maintains T-1 training devices as part of its CLS contract. Air Education and Training Command uses these high-fidelity simulators and part-task trainers ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  TH22 helicopter training device

  The TH22 is a piston rotary-wing training simulator with a single-engine piston and dual-control cockpit trainer based on the Robinson R22. Its combination of ergonomics, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Integrated Training Systems

  IAI provides a range of integrated training packages to support pilot training and meet the requirements of complex battle scenarios. 

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  UH-60 Black Hawk Training Devices

  FlightSafety offers UH-60A/L pilot training on their Black Hawk Level D simulator at West Palm Beach, Florida. The UH-60A/L pilot training features the company’s exclusive ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  C-2A OFT

  The C-2A OFT replicates the physical and performance characteristics of the C-2A carrier-qualified cargo aircraft. The OFT includes a functional cockpit mock-up surrounded by a ...

• Air: UAV simulators

  IM3PUT

  Corsair’s Integrated Multi-Mission Multi-Platform UAS Trainer (IM3PUT) is a reconfigurable, ITAR-safe generic UAS pilot and sensor training system. Pilot and sensor operator stations function off ...

• 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 ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Aviator FTD

  L3Harris Technologies' Aviator Flight Training Device (FTD) line has a type-specific flight deck, offering the form, fit, feel and function of the actual aircraft. The ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Rafale Simulator

  Thales, Sogitec and Dassault Aviation have together developed two pilot training centres to support the training of Rafale fighter pilots. The Saint-Dizier Rafale simulation centre ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  German Air Force Tornado Simulators

  CAE has designed and manufactured all Tornado combat and aircraft flight simulators for the German Air Force and continues to provide upgrades and on-site training ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Motion Cueing System

  Frasca's Motion Cueing System is a compact motion system designed to increase pilot training efficiency by providing vestibular and proprioceptive feedback. This results in realistic motion ...

• Land: fire support simulators

  I-FACT

  Meggitt's Indirect Fire Forward Air Control Trainer (I-FACT) supports training for forward observers, naval gunfire observers, fire support planning and joint tactical close air support. ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  T-38C Talon

  FlightSafety supports nearly 40 T-38 training devices as part of its contract for logistics support for the T-38. The T-38C is a converted T-38A/B that ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  ATS

  The Aircrew Training Simulator (ATS) is a reconfigurable suite built to train student navigators and full aircrews. ATS supports mission planning, execution and debrief training ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C GBTS

  CAE was contracted in 2014 by Beechcraft to develop and support a comprehensive T-6C Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. ...