• 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 …

• Defence Helicopter

  Eurocopter reveals optionally piloted EC145

  25th April 2013

  Eurocopter has validated its EC145 helicopter in an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) role following a successful series of flight tests using its testbed demonstrator. Demonstrated …

• Defence Helicopter

  French DGA takes delivery of first Tiger HAD

  22nd April 2013

  The first production Tiger helicopter in the HAD attack configuration built by Eurocopter has been delivered to the French GDA for the French Army Aviation …

• Defence Helicopter

  German medevac NH90s sent to Afghanistan

  18th April 2013

  Germany has delivered the first of four multi-role NH90 utility helicopters to Mazer-e Sharif, Afghanistan to provide emergency air rescue for front-line casualties.  The helicopter …

• Defence Helicopter

  Spain deploys Tiger attack helicopters to Afghanistan

  16th April 2013

  Despite ISAF operations winding down, Spain has sent three Eurocopter Tiger HAP attack helicopters to Afghanistan in an effort to bolster its helicopter forces which …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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

  EBRC Jaguar [Luxembourg]

  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 missions in ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR-L Serval [Luxembourg]

  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 missions in ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon [Luxembourg]

  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 missions in ...

• 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 [Burkina Faso]

  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]

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

• 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 ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar [France]

  Background France first procured the Caesar in 2004, when it ordered 72 vehicles. These were subsequently delivered by 2008. In July 2022, France ordered a ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Anaconda replacement [Netherlands]

  Background The Netherlands procured the Anaconda to serve as a patrol vehicle for the Netherlands Marine Corps in the Dutch Caribbean. This role was previously filled ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI Replacement [France]

  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 vehicles ...

• 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 ...

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 - 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 ...

• 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 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Storm

  The Storm is a light APC based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 commercial SUV developed by Qatari armoured vehicle manufacturer Stark Motors.  The Storm ...