• Air Warfare

  MD Helicopters expands presence in Indo-Pacific, eyes potential customers

  7th May 2024

  MD Helicopters aims to bolster its footprint in the Indo-Pacific region, targeting countries like Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia for potential sales of its TH530 trainer and AH530 Light Attack Scout helicopters.

• Defence Notes

  US accuses Russia of using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine

  2nd May 2024

  Moscow was blamed for perpetrating multiple gas attacks with a choking agent against Kyiv’s armed forces.

• Naval Warfare

  SeeByte to continue supporting UK minehunting capability under new contract

  23rd May 2024

  The multi-year award directly will see services first procured in March 2022 continue and will secure the supply, support and evolutionary development necessary to maintain the Royal Navy’s integration with SeeByte software.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Turkish MARLIN USV operates alongside manned units for the first time

  31st May 2024

  The Turkish Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed that the MARLIN unmanned surface vessel (USV) operated alongside other warships during the DENIZKURDU-II exercise.

• Naval Warfare

  How adverse weather conditions affect autonomous USV navigation

  14th June 2024

  Significant advancements and ongoing challenges in the development of autonomous navigation for uncrewed systems have highlighted the complex interplay between human oversight and technological capability.

• Land Warfare

  Brazil gets go-ahead for 12 Black Hawk helicopters

  28th May 2024

  The Brazilian Army announced in 2023 that it was aiming to replace the eight HM-3 Cougar (Airbus Helicopters AS532 UE) and four HM-2 Black Hawk helicopters (Sikorsky S-70A) that have been in service with Army Aviation Command, with the aircraft beginning to be decommissioned in December 2023.

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia reshapes its plan for new tanks in face of Russian aggression

  23rd May 2024

  The Russia–Ukraine war has seen a renewed drive towards land vehicles and increased procurement throughout Eastern Europe, with Poland being the leader of the effort. Many countries, including as Slovakia, have focused their efforts on tanks.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing wins US$178 million US Air Force contract to deliver further MH-139A helicopters

  30th April 2024

  Boeing said it was on track to deliver the first Low-Rate Initial Production MH-139A helicopter to the US Air Force in mid-2024.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Edge Autonomy showcases advanced UAVs for SOF (video)

  8th May 2024

  Edge Autonomy has highlighted its advanced, silent electric propulsion and extended UAS endurance with propane fuel cells, designed to support SOF with crucial sensing and close air support capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  GA-ASI to develop new ABAD pod for MQ-9A

  15th May 2024

  A collaboration between General Atomics and US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will seek to equip the MQ-9A Reaper with enhanced threat detection and protection against Radio Frequency and Infrared threats.

• Digital Battlespace

  Intelsat boosts SOF communications with advanced multi-orbit technology (video)

  7th May 2024

  Intelsat is enhancing communication solutions for special operations forces through an approach focusing on multi-orbit capabilities, network integration, and advanced terminal technology.

• Digital Battlespace

  Ukraine taps into its citizens for ISTAR information

  2nd May 2024

  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 saw the country quickly establish a situational awareness system to support targeting and provide information to frontline troops.

• Air Warfare

  How Russia’s declining arms sales is reshaping the global defence industry

  16th April 2024

  As Serbia considers a multi-billion-euro deal for French Rafale fighter jets, its move towards Western arms has signalled a significant departure from its reliance on Russian equipment, reflecting broader shifts in global defence procurement.

• Land Warfare

  European MBT programmes make tracks and try to find a path forward

  8th July 2024

  European MBT programmes over the next decade or two could result in orders up to US$10 billion with orders occurring and plans for purchases predicted to refresh ageing fleets.

• Training

  Canada’s Calian moves into UK training field with purchase of Mabway

  15th May 2024

  Mabway, a supplier to the British Army since 2012, has a workforce of more than 1,000 ex-military and civilian permanent staff and contractors covering the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE

  Tactical Drone System (SDT) (15-28) [France]

  Background Tactical Drone System (SDT) programme The French Army launched the SDT programme to replace the Sagem (now Safran) Sperwer Intermediate Tactical Drone System (SDTI) ...

• Military UAS - micro

  French Operational Pocket Drone / DrOP (France)

  Programme Background French UAV Procurment / DrOP Under its 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM), France aims to introduce 1,200 new UAVs into service with the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon [France]

  Background Development of the Griffon commenced in 2014 when the consortium of Arquus, Nexter and Thales was awarded a development contract to design the VBMR ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Future UAVs: Navy Aerial Drone System (SDAM) [France]

  Background Requirement The requirement for the SDAM programme was a rotary-wing VTOL-capable UAV with a modular configuration that can host a range of payloads. France ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  C-UAS [Portugal]

  Background Portugal's Military Programming Law 2023–2034 includes $8.8724 million (€8.2 million) to acquire counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) by 2034. It is assumed that this acquisition requires ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Land Mobility Programme (Light Protected Mobility) [UK]

  This programme briefly introduces the wider Land Mobility Programme and then focuses on the Light Protected Mobility (LPM) programme. Information on the LMV and HPM can ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  ASTER / VL MICA Multi-layer [France]

  Background The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, acting on behalf of France, awarded EUROSAM a contract on April 30th, 2026, for the development of the ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  Medium Range Air Defence [Portugal]

  Background Portugal's Military Programming Law 2023-2034 includes a requirement for medium-range air defence. In order to facilitate this, Portugal has joined the European Sky Shield Initiative ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Navio Polivalente Logistico (NAVPOL) (Portugal)

  Programme Background Requirements The NAVPOL is expected to feature a flexible and modular LPD design capable of amphibious operations and HADR tasks. Timeline The plans for ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  ASTER / VL MICA Multi-layer (additional) [France]

  Background In October 2026, France ordered four additional firing units of the SAMP/T NG air and missile defence system. With this order, the total number of SAMP/T ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Eurodrone [France]

  Background Inception (Stage One) The European MALE RPAS programme was launched in September 2016. Germany, Spain, France and Italy had negotiated and agreed, in collaboration ...

• ISR/special mission

  Strategic Intelligence Aircraft [France]

  Background In February 2018, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced that the strategic intelligence aircraft program CUGE Universal EW Capability began to ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M [France]

  Background Airbus formally delivered the first production A400M to the French Air Force in August 2013. The French Air Force took delivery of its 15th ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Land Mobility Programme (Medium Protected Mobility) [UK]

  This programme briefly introduces the wider Land Mobility Programme and then focuses on the Medium Protected Mobility (MPM) programme. Information on the LMV and MPM can ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Serval LAD [France]

  Background France's Military Planning Law 2025-2030 committed it to purchasing 12 variants of the Serval MPVS specialised for counter-drone operations. Following Senate criticism, this figure was ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Medium UGVs

  Centurio

  At Eurosatory 2024, KNDS unveiled the Centurio family of 4x4 UGVs. Based on the Phobos UGV by SOGECLAIR, Centurio has been developed in the 2024-30 ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  O-NYX

  The Thales O-NYX is a Ultra-Compact Night Vision Goggle used by the French armed forces. They have an enlarged field of vision to 51° compared ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Patroller

  The Patroller is a long-endurance, multi-mission UAS manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defence. Designed for ISR operations, the platform hosts a Euroflir 410 EO/IR pod and can accommodate ...

• Land: range systems and targets

  Urban Ranges

  Cubic Range Design Solutions has provided facilities around the world for military and law enforcement training in urban terrain. It uses its previous experience, as ...

• Sniper rifles

  Model 95

  The Model 95 is a bolt-action 50cal sniper rifle in a bullpup configuration, which entered production in 1995. Its buttplate, magazine well and trigger housing ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  SandCat

  The 4x4 SandCat family of vehicles was designed by Israeli armour specialist Plasan Sasa in 2005 for a range of military, special operations, homeland security, ...

• Pistols

  P30

  The P30 is available in 9x19mm and .40 S&W; calibres with six variants of each. The grip of the P30 has exchangeable backstrap and grip ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  EK 001 Blue Whale

  The EK 001 Blue Whale is a large, rotary-wing UAV capable of carrying a payload of 23kg. It is in the early stages of development. ...

• Suppressors

  FA556-212

  The Fast Attach 5.56mm (FA556)-212 sound suppressor is designed for use on the AR-15, C8 SFW, HK416, M4, M16 and SA-80. Firearms with 266.7mm barrels ...

• Pistols

  Jericho Steel

  Designed for military and law enforcement users, the Jericho pistol in steel frame configuration is available in 9x19mm and .45 ACP calibres and in standard ...

• Pistols

  P Series

  The S120 pistol series has been used globally in law enforcement and military organisations, with the weapons initially designed as tactical and task force pistols ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  IA-12A Stark

  The IA-12A Stark is a small, rotary-wing UAV that features a dual propulsion system, swappable payload bay, retractable landing gear, single operator control, ground mission planning, ...

• Pistols

  Jericho Polymer

  Jericho pistols have been used for over three decades by military and police units, including law-enforcement entities in Israel and around the world. Designed for ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Tiger LPV

  The MDT Armor 4x4 Tiger Light Protected Vehicle (LPV) is designed to meet the requirements of military and law enforcement customers for a survivable, light ...

• Sniper rifles

  ALIAS CS5

  The ALIAS Concealable Subsonic/Supersonic Suppressed Sniper System (CS5) is designed for concealment in urban settings. With the buttstock and suppressor detached, the CS5 is 597mm ...