• Naval Warfare

  China’s third aircraft carrier commences sea trials

  3rd May 2024

  Fujian, China’s latest aircraft carrier, has embarked on its inaugural sea trials following delays to its construction but featuring technological advancements that have marked a leap in the maritime capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

• Digital Battlespace

  Orbit to collaborate with ViaSat for the development of new satellite terminals

  6th August 2024

  The agreement includes delivery of 30cm and 45cm airborne terminals for military and government use, utilising dual polarisation and supporting the entire 3.5GHz of Ka-band frequencies.

• Naval Warfare

  Italy to get two new generation FREMM frigates under a US$1.62 billion deal

  31st July 2024

  The Bergamini-class frigates for the Italian Navy are based on the Franco-Italian multipurpose European frigate design (Fregata Europea multi-missione or FREMM) the latest order is for a new generation of two ships.

• Training

  Saab awarded contract for T-7A aft section, while US Air Force tests ejection seat

  29th January 2024

  Saab has secured a contract from Boeing to manufacture vital components for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet amid ongoing ejection seat tests and undisclosed delivery timelines.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing outlines new Integrator standard

  9th July 2024

  The Integrator is a multi-mission, long-endurance UAS designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Intended to prioritise user flexibility, the platform has six modular payload bays, allowing users to customise the loadout to suit mission requirements.

• Air Warfare

  Diehl to work on integration of IRIS-T missile onto KAI aircraft

  20th February 2024

  Diehl BGT Defence’s IRIS-T (IR Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) short-range air-to-air missile has seen service with 10 countries.

• Land Warfare

  Saab releases details on Sirius Compact EW sensor

  2nd July 2024

  Sirius Compact can be operated as a stand-alone unit or as part of a network with several sensors typically supporting Ground Based Air Defence with target information.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore announces F-35A order as it looks to diversify its future fighter fleet

  28th February 2024

  Singapore’s announcement of the procurement of eight F-35As has solidified the country’s commitment to enhancing national security and has seen it join select nations in operating multiple variants of the Lockheed Martin fighter aircraft.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AUKUS nations test AI-enabled UAV that destroys ground targets

  12th August 2024

  Australia, the US and the UK have been collaborating on the AI aerial vehicle.

• Land Warfare

  Analysis: How Russia’s precision strike capability is evolving in Ukraine

  31st May 2024

  From the frontlines to power stations, Russia ability to target high-level targets in Ukraine has evolved significantly, as it expands missile production and deploys new systems to deliver lethal effects.

• Air Warfare

  Second known test flight of B-21 confirmed by US Air Force

  19th January 2024

  US Air Force awarded the B-21 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Northrop Grumman in 2015. The design was unveiled to the public in February 2016 under the LRS-B programme and has been scheduled to enter service within the next few years.

• Air Warfare

  L3Harris to upgrade USAF’s B-52H bomber cockpits

  7th June 2024

  The Boeing B-52H is the final model of the Stratofortress heavy bomber. More than 100 were built with 58 remaining in service plus 18 in reserve.

• Land Warfare

  Jackal 3 in full-scale production as 53 more are ordered by British Army

  19th September 2024

  Babcock will build an additional 53 High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Jackal 3s for the British Army in partnership with Supacat.

• Air Warfare

  Drop and dummy test scheduled for Indo-Russian BrahMos missile

  15th March 2024

  India has been looking to advance its defence capabilities with a more compact and efficient BrahMos missile.

• Defence Notes

  Defence cooperation in Europe: Views on the current situation from the EDA

  19th June 2024

  The European Defence Agency (EDA) has been using its platform at Eurosatory to emphasise its role in enhancing EU defence capabilities through collaboration and outlined its future priorities.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Data links

  Data links | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to acquire Fighter Lead-In Training - Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA). This will provide an interim solution for the ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background In June 2019, The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has confirmed to Shephard that the government has given approval for the service to prepare ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Data links

  Data links | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Malaysia’s Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme is part of a broader effort to modernise the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the Capability Development Plan ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (3) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Additional FLIT-LCA [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Malaysia released a RfI in early January 2019 seeking light combat aircraft capable of some air-to-air and full air-to-ground missions. The requirement is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multi-Role Combat Aircraft [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirement Malaysia has long had a requirement known as the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) designed to replace the MiG-29 fleet. The MRCA programme ...

• Corvettes

  New Generation Patrol Vessels Batch III (13-18) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements Malaysia unveiled a plan in 2015 to restructure and recapitalise its navy. The plan is called the 15 to 5 Plan and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack

  Hawk 200

  The Hawk 200 is a single-seat light attack iteration of the Hawk 100 (see separate entry) and Advanced Jet Trainer or AJT (see separate entry). ...

• Subsystems: software

  SimuSphere HD-9

  SimuSphere HD-9 is an HD visual display solution that can be upgraded to trainers currently integrated with SimuSphere systems or as an option for a ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  ESP

  The Electronic Surveillance Payload (ESP) is a lightweight system providing capabilities for Electronic Support Measures(ESM)/ELINT operations. It is designed to operate as a standalone ESM ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SISTELA

  Developed by the Naval Group's Malaysian division, the SISTELA Combat Management System supports diverse naval missions such as surface warfare and air defence. Developed for the ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  Sting Ray

  The Sting Ray Mod 1 is an air- and surface-launched, lightweight ASW torpedo. It can be deployed from frigates, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft against ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D TOFT

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) delivered an F/A-18D Tactical Operations Flight Trainer (TOFT) to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The TOFT consists ...

• OPVs

  New Generation Patrol Vessel

  LUNAS unveiled the New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) at DSA 2018. The NGPV is intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) New Generation Patrol Vessels ...

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

  Tactical UAV

  Unveiled at DSA 2022, the Deftech Tactical UAV is an indigenously developed platform based on the Aldura Mk1. The platform is aimed at the Royal Malaysian ...

• EO/IR systems

  Damocles

  The Damocles is a third-generation targeting pod developed by Thales Group, designed for advanced reconnaissance and laser designation. It is modular, features an eye-safe laser, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  M Solar-X

  First revealed in August 2020, in February 2024, at its symposium, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) showcased the M Solar-X. This solar-powered fixed-wing drone was ...

• Corvettes

  Laksamana Class

  The Royal Malaysian Navy's Laksamana-class corvettes originated under an order placed with Fincantieri by the Iraqi government, but this was cancelled in the 1980s after ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Anka-3

  The Anka-3 MIUS, or Anka-III, is a developmental low-observable flying wing UCAV from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).  The UCAV has been designed to work alongside Turkey's ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SETIS

  SETIS is Naval Group's integrated combat system designed initially for French Navy's FREMM-frigates. It is currently being used on Naval Group's Gowind-class corvettes. SETIS is ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  J/ALQ-8

  Like Israel, Japan elected to outfit its McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15J/DJ combat aircraft with an indigenous self-protection system. This takes the form of Mitsubishi Electric’s J/ALQ-8 ...