• Land Warfare

  Lockheed picks Australian site for GMLRS support and possible missile manufacture

  20th August 2025

  A final decision on the siting of an Australian Weapons Manufacturing Complex (AMWC), which will produce all-up GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rounds, will be made by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).

• Defence Notes

  What will next-gen counter-UAS capabilities for the US look like?

  21st November 2025

  Future US counter-uncrewed aerial system solutions are likely to require a flexible, multi-layered approach to tackle a broad spectrum of new threats as they emerge.

• Air Warfare

  Indonesia inks deal for 48 Kaan aircraft

  29th July 2025

  While the Kaan aircraft is still in development, Indonesia is the first international customer to have committed to buy the aircraft, despite Jakarta’s lack of clarity over funds.

• Air Warfare

  FCAS programme to launch Phase 2 by mid-2026, say French officials

  22nd May 2025

  Developed by France, Spain and Germany, the European 6th-generation combat air programme is progressing apace with new milestones expected by next year after delays to the programme.

• Air Warfare

  Portugal may snub F-35 fighter jets in the face of Trump administration “unpredictability”

  14th March 2025

  A change in the White House’s attitude towards NATO and its European allies may lead to Portugal opting for a non-US option to replace its ageing Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter fleet.

• Defence Notes

  Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat

  20th March 2026

  Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.

• Air Warfare

  UK MoD posts market engagement for Tranche 2 of Loyal Wingman effort

  1st August 2025

  The Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN) for Tranche 2 of Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) comes after the UK unveiled its first ACP, StormShroud, in May 2025.

• Air Warfare

  October Drone Digest: Growing desire for CCAs and new VTOL technology unveiled

  30th October 2025

  During October 2025, several countries and organisations signalled their intention to acquire loyal wingman uncrewed aircraft systems — designated by the US Air Force as Collaborative Combat Aircraft — or to study the capability further, while various new uncrewed helicopters were showcased.

• Air Warfare

  Canada risks “bloodying its nose” should it forgo F-35 buy, says Canadian ex-defence chief

  19th March 2025

  Canada has stated its intention to reassess its acquisition of the F-35, amid the ongoing US-trade war, with Defence Minister Bill Blair saying it is “examining alternatives” with other aircraft manufacturers.

• Air Warfare

  Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35

  5th March 2025

  The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is being developed to meet US requirements and in 2020 the sale was approved to Australia of up to 200 LRASM for an estimated cost of US$990 million.

• Air Warfare

  MBDA’s Meteor completes first F-35B test flight

  28th February 2025

  The US Marine Corps’ aircraft conducted the first test flight of the missile from Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

• Air Warfare

  Germany becomes fifth JSM customer with planned $644 million order

  5th June 2025

  Norway, Japan, Australia and the US have already selected Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for use from Lockheed Martin’s F-35A multirole fighter aircraft. Demand for the missile has led to an expansion in manufacturing.

• Air Warfare

  USAF tests Harpoon missile integration on F-16 aircraft

  4th March 2025

  The integration of the Harpoon missile on the Lockheed Martin fighter worked to showcase the rapid speed at which a ‘gateway system’ integration can add new capabilities to aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Testing of Taiwan’s air-launched supersonic anti-ship missile commences

  14th March 2025

  Should it be introduced into service, the air-launched Hsiung Feng 3 could boost Taiwan’s anti-ship missile capacity and kill zones.

• Air Warfare

  Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion

  14th August 2025

  The autonomous software company’s new UK subsidiary is the latest in a line of businesses poised to expand and offer its services to the UK Ministry of Defence and industry, as the country invests more in AI and autonomous technology to deliver the next generation of uncrewed systems.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V [Taiwan]

  Programme Background On 28 April 2020, US DoD announced that General Electric has been awarded $707 million contract for four undefinitized contract actions under an ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter [Morocco]

  Programme Background 2019 In March 2019, the US State Department announced that it had approved a possible FMS of 25 F-16V Block 72 aircraft to ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Next-Generation Trainer Aircraft - UAE

  The UAE has a requirement for a next-generation fighter aircraft and possible platforms include F-35, F-16V, F/A-18, Rafale and Su-35. The UAE has historically sought ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (Jordan)

  Programme Background On 3 February 2022, the US State Department announced that it has approved a potential sale of 12 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft,  four ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Horizon 3 - Multirole Fighter Programme [Philippines]

  Programme Background Requirement The Philippines retired its F-5 fighters in 2005 and purchased 12 FA-50 light attack aircraft from South Korea in 2013. However, new fighter ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-16 Replacement (1-4) [Thailand]

  The Royal Thai Air Force is seeking a new aircraft to replace its fleet of F-16s. The procurement process will be initiated by an initial ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-16 Replacement (1-4) [Thailand]

  The Royal Thai Air Force is seeking a new aircraft to replace its fleet of F-16s. The procurement process will be initiated by an initial ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-16 Replacement (1-4) [Thailand]

  The Royal Thai Air Force is seeking a new aircraft to replace its fleet of F-16s. The procurement process will be initiated by an initial ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-16 Replacement (1-4) [Thailand]

  The Royal Thai Air Force is seeking a new aircraft to replace its fleet of F-16s. The procurement process will be initiated by an initial ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-16 Replacement (1-4) [Thailand]

  The Royal Thai Air Force is seeking a new aircraft to replace its fleet of F-16s. The procurement process will be initiated by an initial ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Multirole Fighter (Austria)

  Austria is looking for 18 multirole fighter aircraft (15 single-seat, three twin-seat) to replace its Typhoon Tranche 1 Block 5 fleet in service. There is ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Multirole Fighter (Austria)

  Austria is looking for 18 multirole fighter aircraft (15 single-seat, three twin-seat) to replace its Typhoon Tranche 1 Block 5 fleet in service. There is ...

• Data links

  Data links | Multirole Fighter (Austria)

  Austria is looking for 18 multirole fighter aircraft (15 single-seat, three twin-seat) to replace its Typhoon Tranche 1 Block 5 fleet in service. There is ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Multirole Fighter (Austria)

  Austria is looking for 18 multirole fighter aircraft (15 single-seat, three twin-seat) to replace its Typhoon Tranche 1 Block 5 fleet in service. There is ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Multirole Fighter (Austria)

  Austria is looking for 18 multirole fighter aircraft (15 single-seat, three twin-seat) to replace its Typhoon Tranche 1 Block 5 fleet in service. There is ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70/72

  The F-16 Block 70/72, also referred to as the F-16V, is a fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft. It is the latest version of Lockheed Martin's F-16 ...

• Air: Displays

  F-16 Center Pedestal Display

  Produced by Elbit Systems of America, the F-16 Center Pedestal Display (CPD) provides a high-resolution colour display that replaces several legacy instruments on F-16 aircraft. 

• Data links

  AN/APX-126

  The AN/APX-126 is a combined IFF interrogator and transponder developed by BAE Systems. Designed specifically for F-16 aircraft, it is in service with the US ...

• Marine engines

  MTU 595 series

  The MTU 595 series, manufactured by Rolls-Royce UK, consists of 12V and 16V versions of engines. The engines have a rated speed between 1500 to ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  AN/ALQ-213(V) DAC

  Terma’s AN/ALQ-213(V) electronic warfare management unit is used extensively on General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon series combat aircraft around the world. The AN/ALQ-213(V) is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  KF-16

  The KF-16 is a third-generation multirole fighter aircraft domestically produced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) based on the F-16C/D Block 52 to meet the local ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  JHMCS II

  The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a joint USAF/USN programme that has fielded over 5,000 systems. The JHMCS is qualified on F-15, F-16 and ...

• Marine engines

  16V 1163 TB 93

  The 16V 1163 TB 93 is manufactured by Rolls-Royce UK and is a part of the 16V 1163 family of engines. The engine measures 4668mm ...

• Marine engines

  MTU 16V 2000 M94

  Manufactured by Rolls-Royce subsidiary MTU, the MTU 16V 2000 M94 delivers power up to 1939 kw at a maximum speed of 2450 rpm. The engine ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16C/D Block 25, 30/32, 40/42

  The F-16C/D ('C' one-seat, 'D' two-seat designation) is the second generation of the F-16 Fighting Falcon family. The production of the F-16C/D began in 1983 with ...

• Marine engines

  MTU 4000

  The MTU Series 4000 is manufactured by Rolls-Royce UK. The engine consists of a 90° V cylinder configuration and has a displacement/cylinder capacity of 4.77 ...

• EO/IR systems

  DB/MS-110

  The DB-110 is a long-range oblique photography (LOROP) EO/IR dual-band sensor that combines visible and IR imaging. MS-110 represents the next generation of the widely deployed ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16C/D Block 50/52/52+

  A member of the F-16 Fighting Falcon family, the F-16C/D Block 50/52 ('C' single-seat, 'D' dual-seat) is a third-generation multirole fighter that was rolled out ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-5E/F Tiger II

  The F-5E (single-seat)/F (twin-seat) Tiger II is an air superiority fighter developed by Northrop Grumman based on the original F-5 Freedom Fighter. Production of the ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines, Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  F110-GE-129

  The F110-GE-129, manufactured by GE Aviation, is a derivative of the F110-GE-100 engine, sharing 81% of parts with the GE-100. The GE-129 engine is in ...