• Land Warfare

  Analysis: AAV7 - remaking a legacy

  3rd January 2017

  The LVT-7 (Landing Vehicle Tracked) when first fielded by the US Marine Corps in 1972 was vast improvement over its predecessor the LVT-5.  It was …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  India speeding up Predator buy

  16th December 2016

  India is pursuing plans to buy high-altitude, long endurance UAVs from the US to meet the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements of its navy and …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan Coast Guard to get cash injection

  13th December 2016

  Japan is proposing to raise the budget of its overworked coast guard in the coming fiscal year, giving it its largest funding ever. The government …

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell Helicopter, PGZ sign LoI

  16th December 2016

  Bell Helicopter and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) based on Poland’s Kruk helicopter programme. The government of Poland is …

• Defence Notes

  Saudi and UAE driving GCC defence

  14th December 2016

  The two military heavyweights of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are driving defence procurement in the region with recent increases …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Navy UAV requirements up in the air

  14th December 2016

  The deployment of an Insitu Blackjack to a UK Royal Navy (RN) ship intended for 2017 has been put on hold due to US Marine Corps requirements. …

• Land Warfare

  Finland to decide on Korean artillery

  19th December 2016

  Finland is moving towards the acquisition of new self-propelled artillery howitzers, with a decision expected early in 2017. The Nordic country has plans to buy …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: NATO accreditation for JTAC technology (video)

  7th December 2016

  SimCentric Technologies has received NATO acreditiation for its Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) simulation software which utilises VBS 3. Shephard spoke with Adam Easton, CEO …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: US Navy training for new platforms (video)

  6th December 2016

  The US Navy is continuing to field new training systems to get solors and other personnel up to speed with new platforms, such as the …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Projection meets audio advancements in simulation (video)

  5th December 2016

  Projection experts Barco showcased its  exhibit the newest member to its 4K UHD laser phosphor projector family at I/ITSEC in Orlando.  The company also demonstrated its …

• Defence Helicopter

  Indonesia to overhaul Mi-35Ps in Russia

  9th December 2016

  Russian Helicopters has received a contract to upgrade Mil Mi-35P attack helicopters owned by the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD). The Russian-built helicopters will be overhauled at …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Barco unveils the F70

  5th December 2016

  Although seen by Shephard in 2015 in a whisper suite, I/ITSEC 2016 saw Barco unveil its F70 4K projector to the public. The laser phosphor …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: VT MÄK selection

  7th December 2016

  CM Labs Simulations has announced that VT MÄK has selected its Vortex Studio Essentials to power high-fidelity vehicle simulation in their new VR-Engage multi-role virtual …

• Land Warfare

  Thailand orders Chinese SAM

  13th December 2016

  The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bought a battery of KS-1C medium-range surface-to-air missiles from the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC), with delivery expected …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Fundamental changes ahead for defence in Europe (video)

  1st December 2016

  Shephard spoke with Simon Williams, chairman defence and security at Clarion Events, about some of the differences between the US and European market ahead of …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• ISR/special mission

  ISTAR Aircraft - India

  Programme Background New Delhi has a long standing requirement for ISTAR aircraft to increase the IAF's capability to track mobile ground targets, map natural disaster areas, ...

• Loitering munitions

  Harop [Azerbaijan]

  Programme Background According to a December 2020 report by the Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Azerbaijan acquired an estimated 50 Harop loitering munitions ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-1Z [Romania]

  The Romanian MoD has a long-standing requirement for new rotary platforms, including troop transport, supply and attack configurations. According to the the Military Strategy document, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Piranha V

  264 of the Piranha Vs will be assigned to the Danish Army's 1st Brigade, following its reorganisation in January 2019. Each of its three armoured ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Data links

  Data links | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  Indian Air Force is planning to buy a total of 140 Tejas LCA to equip seven squadrons. Between 2006 and 2016, India’s Defence Acquisition Council authorised ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Paraguay VAMTAC ST5

  Programme Background Paraguay's Joint Task Force is in need of new armoured vehicles that can provide sufficient protection against the small arms, mines and IEDs ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Mi-28UB - Russia

  Programme BackgroundThe Russian MoD plans to acquire up to 60 Mi-28UB aircraft for the Russian Air Force by mid-2020s. Moscow signed a contract with Russian Helicopters ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Mi-28UB - Russia Forecast

  Programme Background The Russian MoD plans to acquire up to 60 Mi-28UB aircraft for the Russian Air Force by mid-2020s. Moscow signed a contract with Russian ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Cobra II Armoured Tactical Vehicle - 2 (EGM-ZTA-2)

  Some of the Cobra IIs delivered to the SGD are armed with an Aselsan SARP RWS. Based on the value of the June 2016 contract ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  KUS-FT (South Korea)

  Programme Background Requirement The ROKA had identified a need for tactical UAVs that can be employed at the divisional level to carry out ISTAR missions ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  WhAP

  The Wheeled Amphibious Armoured Platform (WhAP) is being designed and developed in collaboration with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to meet an Indian ...

• Self-propelled mortars

  Soltam Spear MK II

  Elbit Systems publicly unveiled the Soltam Spear Mk II 120mm recoil mortar system at Defexpo 2016. It is a second-generation development of the Soltam Spear ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Otaman 6x6

  First unveiled in 2016 at Defexpo in India, the Otaman 6x6 was designed by Practika to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  LAMV

  At Defexpo India in February 2014, Tata Motors unveiled a prototype of the Light Armoured Mobility Vehicle (LAMV) which it is offering to meet Indian Army ...

• Towed guns

  Dhanush

  India's state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) developed the Dhanush 155 mm L/45 towed howitzer using technology transferred as part of a late 1980s deal for ...

• Magline Cruiser

  First displayed at the DefExpo exhibition in 2014, the Magline Cruiser was developed as three variants: Cruiser 1, Cruiser 2 and Mini Cruiser. The two larger ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Arjun Catapult Mk II

  India's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) publicly unveiled the Arjun Catapult Mk II at Defexpo India in February 2014. The Arjun Catapult is ...

• OPVs

  Shachi Class (Project 21)

  Project 21 (P-21) Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs)  was intended to enhance the maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities of the Indian Navy. The design of ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Tanan

  The Tanan is VTOL UAS developed for maritime and land missions. It is capable of completing eight hour missions over a 180km range with a ...

• Towed guns

  Sharang

  The Sharang 155mm towed artillery gun is an upgraded version of the Russian-made M-46 130mm howizter produced by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). It is ...

• Towed guns

  M777

  The Ultralightweight Field Howitzer (UFH), now designated the M777, was designed in 1987 in order to satisfy US Army requirements for a lightweight 155mm howitzer. ...

• Military - USVs

  High-Speed Intercept Boat

  Poly Technologies displayed its High-Speed Intercept Boat at DSA in Malaysia in 2016. 

• Self-propelled missile systems, Short Range Missile Defence Systems: 0 to 20 km range

  Tor-M1 (SA-15 Gauntlet)

  The Tor-M1, NATO reporting name SA-15 Gauntlet, is a highly mobile, short- to medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Soviet Union to provide ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  BTR-82A/BTR-82AM

  The Military Industrial Company (VPK) unveiled the BTR-82A 8x8 amphibious vehicle, an upgraded version of the BTR-80A IFV, in December 2009. The BTR-82A IFV offers ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Mbombe 4

  The Mbombe 4 is the 4x4 variant of Paramount's Mbombe family of mine-protected vehicles.  Capable of carrying up to 11 personnel, the Mbombe 4 shares ...