• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US details French Reaper purchase ahead of Mali ops

  1st July 2013

  The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has progressed with plans to sell 16 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs to France as the European nation considers deploying …

• Defence Notes

  UK cements second place in global defence exports

  21st June 2013

  UK defence and security exports have increased by £3.5bn to £11bn between 2011 and 2012, making it the second largest exporter behind the US. According …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show 2013: Thales keeps on watching

  19th June 2013

  As the British Army’s Watchkeeper programme creeps closer to completion, the manufacturing teams behind it remain committed to the cause and the certification process it …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show 2013: Patroller project gathers pace

  19th June 2013

  Sagem has completed the first flight test of its Patroller UAV designed for the French Army in a COMINT configuration. The aircraft flew the COMINT …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show 2013: Boeing faces new realities

  17th June 2013

  Boeing has received a contract to upgrade four French E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, as the company continues to reshape itself into …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show 2013: French connection remains for Heron TP

  17th June 2013

  Despite the French government confirming the purchase of two GA-ASI MQ-9 Reaper UAVs at the end of May to fill its MALE UAV requirement, IAI …

• Digital Battlespace

  Paris Air Show 2013: Thales furthers UAV data link development

  14th June 2013

  Thales is due to complete a study that will assess the possibility of integrating its Thales Modem for Air (TMA) 6000 wideband airborne data link …

• Military Logistics

  Marshall ADG awarded French C-130H upgrade study contract

  6th June 2013

  Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (ADG) announced on 06 June that it has won a €1.25m study phase contract related to the upgrade of the …

• Digital Battlespace

  NATO ACCS first element delivered to NCI

  4th June 2013

  The NATO Communications and Information (NCI) agency has taken delivery of the first element of NATO's new Air Command and Control System (ACCS). The hand …

• Military Logistics

  A400M overcomes engine problems

  30th May 2013

  The A400M is ‘back on track’ following engine problems last year, according to Airbus Military, as the company prepares to deliver the first aircraft to …

• Defence Helicopter

  French Caracal squadron approaches air-to-air refuelling certification

  29th May 2013

  The French Air Force is set to significantly enhance its SAR and CSAR capabilities with the completion of in-flight refuelling certification for its EC725 Caracals.  …

• Military Logistics

  Second A400M for France completes engine runs

  28th May 2013

  Airbus Military has announced that the second A400M airlifter in production for the French armed forces has successfully completed its first engine runs. The aircraft …

• Naval Warfare

  Test firing of M51 missile fails

  21st May 2013

  A test firing of an M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile failed when the missile self-destructed within seconds after its launch from the Vigilante submarine on 5 …

• Land Warfare

  Denmark launches APC trials

  1st May 2013

  Strong contenders are already beginning to emerge for Denmark's APC-replacement programme, currently the largest vehicle competition in Europe, with armoured vehicle evaluation trials now underway. …

• Military Logistics

  First A400M nears IOC

  26th April 2013

  The first production A400M is expected to be delivered to the French Air Force and achieve military initial operation capability (IOC) in the second quarter …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Mali]

  Programme Background Six Drones On 22 December 2022, Joseph Dempsey, a research associate at IISS, tweeted photographs showing a Baytraktar TB2 adorned with the Malian ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR-L Serval [Luxembourg]

  Programme Background Luxembourg currently operates a small military of just over 1,000 personnel. Despite its small size, Luxembourg has contributed troops to both NATO and EU ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  EBRC Jaguar [Luxembourg]

  Programme Background Luxembourg currently operates a small military of just over 1,000 personnel. Despite its small size, Luxembourg has contributed troops to both NATO and EU ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon [Luxembourg]

  Programme Background Luxembourg currently operates a small military of just over 1,000 personnel. Despite its small size, Luxembourg has contributed troops to both NATO and EU ...

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

  Akinci [Mali]

  Background Presentation In December 2024, Akinci drones were presented to the Malian Armed Forces by transitional President General Assimi Goita during a ceremony in Bamako, confirming ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Mi-171Sh

  While the Burkinabe Armed Forces declined to discuss the deal when contacted by Shephard, a Burkinabe military source did acknowledge that the aircraft were being ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Surplus Maxxpro [Bangladesh - Batch 1]

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Surplus Maxxpro [Bangladesh - Batch 2]

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  UN Peacekeeping Vehicles [Bangladesh]

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires 4x4 armoured vehicles to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the ...

• Medium UGVs

  THeMIS [Netherlands and Estonia]

  Programme Background The Estonian Armed Forces had already been operating the THeMIS UGV in Mali for a year at the time the programme was announced ...

• Medium UGVs

  THeMIS [Sweden]

  Programme Background Many countries have been acquiring small numbers of Milrem's THeMIS UGV since its success in the hands of Estonian Forces in Mali. The ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI Replacement [France]

  Programme Background The VBCI is currently France's primary IFV. As an 8x8 wheel vehicle, it fits within a French force structure that favours agile, manoeuvrable ...

• Minehunters

  Mine Warfare Vessels [France]

  Programme Background Requirements France’s Mine Warfare Vessels programme is aimed at replacing the ageing Eridan-class minehunters. The programme will follow the Future Naval Mine Action System ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Long-Range Ground Strike (FLP-T) [France]

  Background The French Army currently operates the M270 as its only MLRS. France previously procured a total of 55, though this number had reduced to ...

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

  MQ-9 Reaper [France]

  Programme Background 2013 (Block 1) The then-French Defence Minister, Kean-Yves Le Drian, confirmed on 31 May 2013 that France had ordered its first two MQ-9 platforms. The ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: mission management systems

  FINDSAT - BFT System

  Using geo-satellite positioning, Nexter’s BFT system (FINDSAT) is capable of identifying and locating friendly personnel who are not equipped with networked information or radio systems. ...

• Medium UGVs

  THeMIS

  Milrem's Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a modular, hybrid UGV.  The vehicle's modular design and open architecture allow it to be reconfigured to ...

• Land: indirect fire location radar

  GA10

  The Ground Alerter 10 (GA10), developed by Thales, is a portable Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) early warning system. It provides 360° azimuth coverage with ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  HOT 3

  Designed to destroy reactive armour, the HOT (Haut subsonique Optiquement Téléguidé Tiré d'un Tube, or High Subsonic, Optical, Remote-Guided, Tube-Launched) family has demonstrated its multipurpose capability. Tens ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Mi-8/Mi-17

  The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a twin-engine, multirole, medium helicopter developed from 1960 to meet Soviet military requirements. More than 18,000 examples of the ...

• Light UGVs

  Probot

  The 4x4 Professional Robot (Probot) is suitable for various applications, both indoor and outdoor, and is designed to carry a payload of up to 700kg. ...

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

  Heron Mk 1

  The Heron, now called the Heron Mk I, is a MALE UAS manufactured by Isreal Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Malat Division. Designed for various missions, including ISTAR and artillery fire ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  AS532

  The AS532 is a development of the SA 330 Puma, with a long fuselage and marketed for tactical transport and logistical support missions. It has ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Puma M36 Mk 5

  OTT developed the Puma M36 Mk 5 to meet the needs of African customers for a lower-cost vehicle that offers a greater payload than its ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  TopOwl

  The TopOwl binocular helmet-mounted sight and display has been chosen by 16 countries for their army, navy and/or air force attack and transport helicopters. It ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI

  Nexter developed the VBCI to meet a French Army requirement for an infantry fighting vehicle to replace the tracked AMX-10P. The 8x8 design was specified ...

• Land: air defence radar

  Protivnik-GE

  The Protivnik-GE is a mobile 3D surveillance radar distributed by Russian supplier Rosoboronexport and is currently used by the Russian Armed Forces and the Egyptian ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  SPREOS

  Bird Aerosystems’ SPREO is a Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) designed to protect rotary and fixed-wing aircraft against incoming infrared (IR) guided surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. ...

• Frigates

  La Fayette/Kang Ding Class

  The La Fayette-class frigates have a stealthy design and are in service with France and Taiwan, with some variance between the ships on length and ...

• Air-to-air missiles

  9M39 Igla-V

  The 9M39 Igla-V (‘needle’) is a Russian IR homing SAM adapted for helicopter use. It is an air-launched version of the Igla MANPADS, which the ...