• Defence Notes

  Analysis: Saudi Arabia - A close customer (part 2 - air)

  14th December 2016

  As we have already seen in Part 1 – Land, the close defence relationship between Saudi Arabia's ruling House of Saud and Western governments is …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: MASA secures DST Group contract

  21st November 2016

  The Australian Government’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) has brought two MASA SWORD licences for use within its Land Capability Branch of the Joint …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: New sims for Australia

  24th November 2016

  Like many armed forces around the world, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is embarking on a plan to exploit the use of networked virtual simulation …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: ECA looks to land sim domain

  24th November 2016

  While probably best known for its work in the maritime domain, ECA Group will attend this year’s I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida, showcasing its latest work …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Saab to upgrade US Army training systems

  22nd November 2016

  Saab has received three orders to add interoperability upgrades to the US Army's training systems to meet national and European forward deployment requirements, it announced …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  I/ITSEC 2016: Elbit introduces B-SIM for Hermes 900 HFE

  21st November 2016

  Elbit Systems has contracted Bagira Switzerland to supply the B-SIM, an arena and image simulator, for its Hermes 900 HFE multi-payload unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), …

• Naval Warfare

  Poseidon programme receives Norway boost

  28th November 2016

  Norway has pinned its aerial maritime patrol capability firmly on the expansive wings of the P-8 Poseidon aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, following a statement last …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Latest version of VBS3 released

  22nd November 2016

  The latest version of Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3) v.3.9.2 features an ability to interoperate with the Oculs Rift CV1 and HTC …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Robots on the run (video)

  21st November 2016

  Marathon Targets will be exhibiting its unique remotely operated robot training solution at this years I/ITSEC in Orlando with an offering that bridges the gap …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Rheinmetall bags combat training contract

  21st November 2016

  Rheinmetall Simulation and Training has won an order worth €10 million ($10.7 million) to expand an existing live training facility in the Middle East-North Africa …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Rockwell Collins to launch Coalescence

  22nd November 2016

  Over recent years, much has been made of mixed reality, blended learning and augmented reality but little practical progress has been made in showing such …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: JTAC sim finds target

  21st November 2016

  Following its success in securing a contract on the US Air Force’s Joint Terminal Control Training and Rehearsal System (JTC TRS) programme, Virginia-based QuantaDyn is …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Virtual Heroes takes gaming to the next level

  23rd November 2016

  Virtual Heroes is showcasing new immersive 3D content training technology at this year’s IITSEC military training and simulation event in Orlando.  The company, a division …

• Naval Warfare

  Analysis: Waters rage in South China Sea (Part 2)

  14th December 2016

  In Part 1 of this analysis, Shephard looked in some detail at Chinese and Taiwanese reactions to the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) ruling on …

• Naval Warfare

  P-8A Poseidon arrives in Australia

  22nd November 2016

  The first P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has arrived in the country from Boeing’s Seattle, Washington, facility. The aircraft was …

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 ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  Vigile LW

  Thales' Vigile LW was introduced in 2010 at DEFEXPO (India), it is a lightweight radar ESM system for small naval platforms, providing a real-time tactical view ...

• 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 ...