• Training

  NZ receives full complement of King Air trainers

  12th December 2018

  The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) received its fourth and final Beechcraft King Air 350i trainer aircraft last month. The aircraft belonging to 42 …

• Land Warfare

  US Army awards Mobile Protected Firepower prototype contracts

  17th December 2018

  The US Army has awarded two Section 804 middle tier acquisition rapid prototyping contracts for the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) programme against an aggressive delivery …

• Defence Notes

  North and South Korean soldiers enter each other's territory

  12th December 2018

  Soldiers from North and South Korea crossed into each other's territory peacefully for the first time on 12 December, Seoul said, as they began checking …

• Land Warfare

  Taiwan readies for IFV production

  30th October 2018

  Taiwan is ready to commence series production of an IFV variant of its indigenous Cloud Leopard 8x8 armoured vehicle for the Republic of China Army …

• Digital Battlespace

  Port of Amsterdam trials MADS

  12th December 2018

  The Port of Amsterdam is testing Martek’s Marine Anti Drone System (MADS) to explore UAS usage in its airspace. The four-week trial will focus on …

• Naval Warfare

  Croatian Navy receives patrol vessel

  19th December 2018

  The Croatian Navy has received a new inshore patrol vessel, Omiš, in a ceremony in Split on 7 December. The vessel, built by Croatian company …

• Digital Battlespace

  Cohort acquires Chess Technologies

  18th December 2018

  Cohort has acquired a majority stake in Chess Technologies, a UK-based integrated fire control and tracking systems provider for military vehicles and naval ships. Chess …

• Naval Warfare

  Brazil launches first of five French-tech attack subs

  14th December 2018

  Brazil, on 14 November, has launched the first of five navy attack submarines it is building under a $7.6 billion technology-sharing deal struck with France. …

• Naval Warfare

  Euronaval 2018: Leonardo continues progress with weapon systems

  23rd October 2018

  Italy’s Leonardo presented numerous weapon system updates at this year’s Euronaval including on its Black Scorpion lightweight torpedo which is set for helicopter qualification in …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Regulation disappointment for Thales at Autonomous Warrior

  13th December 2018

  Despite flying high in France, the Thales Spyranger was left stuck in the Salisbury mud during the Autonomous Warrior Land exercises (AW(L)18) after coming up …

• Military Logistics

  Exoskeleton suits for US shipyard

  13th December 2018

  The US Navy’s Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is testing Levitate’s Airframe exoskeleton suits as a way of reducing the risk of injury to the workforce, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Sky Power strengthens cooperation with Mejzlik Propeller

  14th December 2018

  Sky Power has strengthened its cooperation with Mejzlik Propeller for the development of propellers designed according to UAS engine and customer applications, the company announced …

• Digital Battlespace

  General Dynamics LTE hotspot hoping for EvO top spot

  17th December 2018

  General Dynamics UK (GDUK) is hoping its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network will be integrated into the future Evolve to Open (EvO) open architecture …

• Land Warfare

  Northrop expands Arizona facility

  17th December 2018

  Northrop Grumman’s Innovation Systems in Mesa, Arizona, has completed the expansion of its Bushmaster medium calibre cannon production facility. The new 36,000sq ft facility doubles …

• Defence Notes

  UN reports more suspected Iranian missiles found in Yemen

  12th December 2018

  More suspected Iranian-made weapons have been found in Yemen, the UN says in a report that will be discussed on 12 December by the Security …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background A video clip released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) disclosed that a deal to acquire the J-10 from China was signed on 25 ...

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Netherlands]

  Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, the ...

• Medium UGVs

  Mission Master (RPV Sprial 2) [UK]

  Background First announced in April 2017 and referred to in early MOD documents as the ‘last mile resupply’ initiative, the British Army is reportedly evaluating ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Germany]

  Programme Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [India]

  Programme Background India is planning to increase its AEW&C; capabilities with indigenous radar systems.  A330 Bid In 2015, the IAF has requested to procure six ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-S (Second Batch) [Turkey]

  Programme Background First Batch Based on comments by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish media in 2018, Shephard believes that Türkiye acquired 26 Anka-S drones ...

• Main battle tanks

  Viatura Blindada de Combate-Carro de Combate (VBC-CC) [Brazil]

  Programme Background Several key technical requirements have been outlined by the Brazilian MoD. Among the most important are that the platform should weigh less than ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Medium Range Tactical (MRT) [USMC]

  Background Request for Information (RFI) In February 2026, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued an RFI for solutions for a Medium Range Tactical (MRT) ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Slovenia - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background  Slovenia began its procurement of Oshkosh Defence's JLTV 4x4 armoured vehicle in 2018, although a US government FMS contract was not signed until ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  L-39NG Senegal

  The aircraft will feature five hard-points, two external fuel tanks with 350 lt capacity, Mk 81 and Mk 82 bombs, guided and unguided rockets, single ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9A Reaper [Spain]

  Programme Background First Contract The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft and associated parts, equipment, and logistical ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (MIV) [UK]

  Background History The UK MoD announced in March 2018 that it would re-join the Boxer programme and pursue a sole-source acquisition of the 8x8 vehicle. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CRATOS

  The Clip-On Ruggedized Advanced Thermal Optical Sight (CRATOS) is a miniaturised all-in-one thermal weapon sight designed for handheld, clip-on or stand-alone use. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  HuntIR Mk 2

  The HuntIR Mk 2 thermal weapon and reconnaissance sight is designed for clip-on use on mid- and long-range small arms. The standalone weapon sight has ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  XACT th family

  The XACT thermal weapon sight product family includes: the XACT th64 short/medium-range weapon-mounted or handheld sight; the XACT th65 clip-on marksman sight; and the XACT ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CNVD-T

  The Clip-On Night Vision Device-Thermal (CNVD-T) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight based on the military SU-232/PAS. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  UTCx

  The UTCx (Universal Thermal Clip-on) sight is a universal thermal clip-on to existing weapon sights, currently fielded by the US military and supporting long-range sniper ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PAS-13G(V)1 LWTS

  The AN/PAS-13G(V)1 Light Weapon Thermal Sight (LWTS) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight. The TI capability of the LWTS allows for longwave infrared observation ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TISI-M

  Designed for assault and sharpshooter rifles, SMGs and machine guns, the TISI-M is a lightweight uncooled thermal day and night weapon sight which can be ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PVS-30

  The AN/PVS-30 is a long-range thermal clip-on sniper night sight. The sight is able to extend the range of engagement by up to 1,000m and ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  Lily-L

  The Lily-L clip-on thermal sight for long-range sniper weapons can be mounted on a Picatinny rail in front of a day scope. It is designed for ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  MilSight S135 MUNS

  The MilSight S135 Magnum Universal Night Sight (MUNS) AN/PVS-27 is a high-resolution clip-on weapon sight that mounts forward of an existing scope, adding NV capabilities ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  ThermoSight HISS-XLR

  The HISS extended long-range (XLR) clip-on thermal weapon sight allows snipers to detect and recognise man-sized targets at up to 2,000m, offering a 25% increase ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  UBGL

  The single-shot 40mm Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) can be attached to most modern assault weapons using a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system. The breech is swung ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  MUNSTI

  The MUNSTI uncooled thermal imaging clip-on sight is compact and lightweight, designed for use in front of a day optical sight. It is suitable for ...

• Sniper rifles

  Dan.338

  IWI launched the Dan.338, the first of a new family of bolt-action sniper rifles, at the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition. Chambered for .338 Lapua Mag ammunition, ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TVC 60

  The TVC 60 is a clip-on thermal weapon sight designed to be used in conjunction with a magnified day optic. The shooter relies on the ...