• Defence Notes

  Interview: Liam Fox on UK SDSR

  24th September 2015

  Dr Liam Fox was defence secretary from May 2010 to October 2011 and brought in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). In a …

• Defence Helicopter

  Spirit completes fuselage for V-280 Valor

  23rd September 2015

  Spirit AeroSystems has completed construction of the first fuselage for Bell Helicopter's V-280 Valor aircraft, the company announced on 22 September. The composite fuselage will …

• Defence Helicopter

  India clears Boeing helicopter deal

  22nd September 2015

  India has cleared the procurement of 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy lifters for the Indian Air Force.  The country’s Cabinet …

• Land Warfare

  Russia supports Uralvagonzavod

  22nd September 2015

  The Russian government is providing financial support to state-owned tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod. Loss-making business activities have resulted in the company developing a debt load of …

• Defence Helicopter

  L-3 supports Apache upgrade

  22nd September 2015

  Science and Engineering Services has selected L-3 Communications to provide its Manned/Unmanned Teaming-eXpanded Capabilities (MUMT-X) system in support of  the US Army’s Apache helicopter programme. …

• Land Warfare

  First view of Verba MANPADs

  21st September 2015

  Russia’s new next generation man-portable air defence (MANPAD) system was put on public display for the first time. The 9K333 Verba MANPAD was shown by …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2015: Taming the Wildcat (video)

  17th September 2015

  The Royal Navy has revealed more details about trials it is conducting in the Gulf region to expand the capabilities of its new AW159 Wildcat …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2015: Training costs for British Army

  17th September 2015

  The costs of training for the British Army during FY14/15 have been revealed following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Shephard to the UK MoD. …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2015: UK mech role for upgraded VBCI

  15th September 2015

  French armoured vehicle manufacturer Nexter has unveiled a new variant of its Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) 8x8 vehicle, which it sees as a …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2015: Selex ES hunts drones (video)

  15th September 2015

  Selex ES has unveiled a new system designed to counter the threat posed by the rapid proliferation of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) such as …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2015: FVL milestone on horizon

  15th September 2015

  The US military’s ambitious rotary-wing modernisation programme, known as Future Vertical Lift (FVL), is on track to complete its first major milestone in 2016, according …

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2015: 1SL on manpower challenges

  14th September 2015

  Manpower requirements remain a ‘critical challenge’ to Royal Navy operations as changing national demographics affect recruitment, according to First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas. …

• Land Warfare

  QinetiQ to develop electric hub-drive

  10th September 2015

  The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded a contract to QinetiQ to develop an electric hub-drive, the company announced on 8 September. …

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2015: QinetiQ displays stand-off scanner

  9th September 2015

  QinetiQ will display its latest generation stand-off body scanner, at this year’s DSEI exhibition in London. It is currently in development with the US Transportation …

• Military Logistics

  Australia finally moves on AIR 5428

  8th September 2015

  The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has selected Lockheed Martin Australia as the preferred tenderer for the Australian Defence Force’s new (ADF) Pilot Training System, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Apache Adjacent UAVs [Australia]

  Background Requirement As reported by Shephard from the Australian International Airshow 2025, Australia requires a platform to support the manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) alongside the repoed 29 Apache AH-64E ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  MUM-T Drone [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  KF-21 Loyal Wingman [South Korea]

  Programme Background KF-21 Boramae Crewed Fighter The Republic of Korea’s Air Force (ROKAF) plans to acquire the KF-21 Boramae fighter, replacing F-4E Phantom II and F-5E/F fighters in the ...

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

  Air Launched Effect (ALE) [South Korea]

  Programme Background KF-21 Boramae Crewed Fighter The Republic of Korea's Air Force (ROKAF) plans to acquire the KF-21 Boramae fighter, replacing F-4E Phantom II and ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Air Launched Loyal Wingman [Japan]

  Programme Background Air-Launched Loyal Wingman As reported by Shephard, a 30 October 2020 contract awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) meant the company would lead ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache [United Kingdom]

  According to the MoD, to further ‘guarantee value for money’ systems from the current Apache fleet such as the Modernised Target Acquisition & Designation System, ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache-Follow-On [Morocco]

  Programme Background Morocco has placed a request with the US government for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. On 20 November 2019, it was announced that the ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  T129B [Philippines]

  Programme Background On 31 August 2019, it was announced that the Philippines National Defence Acquisition Decision Memorandum continues with the T-129 procurement. However, on 30 April ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache [Morocco]

  Morocco has placed a request with the US government for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. On 20 November 2019, it was announced that the US State ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Project Land 4503 [Australia]

  Programme Background The Australian Army has begun its search for a successor to the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), with an RfI issued by the ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Kruk / AH-64E Apache [Poland]

  Programme Background In May 2019, Wojciech Skurkiewicz, the Polish deputy defence, released some details on the helicopter programme. Part of Poland's broader defence modernisation plan, the tender ...

• Trainer

  Hawk 127 Replacement (Future Lead-In Fighter Training System- Project Air 6002 PH1) [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (Indian Air Force)

  Programme Background The Indian Army was originally granted co-ownership of the 22 Apaches by the Indian MoD. However, the IAF refused to cede them to ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (Indian Army)

  It is a hybrid procurement, as was the 2015 Air Force one (see separate entry), employing both a direct commercial sale with Boeing and an ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (South Korea)

  Programme Background Requirement The procurement decision is the result of the shift in South Korea's warfare concept focusing on the offensive manoeuvre rather than the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  MUM-T

  The Military Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) is a UAS in development by Korean Aerospace Industries. Showcased at Seoul ADEX 2021, the MUM-T can be launched from the ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Air Launched Effect (ALE)

  The Air-Launched Effect (ALE) is an in-development uncrewed platform from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Shown at IDEX 2023, it is set to come in two variants, one ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Demogorgon

  In late October 2021, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded Kratos Unnamed Systems Division an initial $17.68 million 12-month cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop an Off-Board Sensing ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Arrow

  The Arrow is a supersonic prototype UAV developed by Singapore-based Kelley Aerospace. According to the manufacturer, the 16.8t prototype will be operated as a conventional UAV, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Uncrewed Checkmate

  At the Dubai Airshow 2021, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the parent company of Checkmate manufacturer Sukhoi Design Bureau, announced its intention to manufacture an uncrewed version of ...

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

  Koios

  Manufactured by Callen-Lenz, the Koios is a small-UAS available in both a VTOL and non-VTOL variant.  Designed for the civil and military market, as standard, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Defender

  The Defender is a jet-powered uncrewed escort aircraft built by GA-ASI. The primary goal of the UAV is to protect high-value airborne assets, such as refuelling ...

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

  Rotor Blown Wing

  In March 2025, Sikorsky unveiled an as-yet-unnamed tail sitter small UAV, referred to as the Rotor Blown Wing. The UAV can transition between helicopter and ...

• Land: handheld NV devices, Land: handheld day observation, surveillance and targeting systems, Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  MUM-14

  The Multi-Use Mini-Monocular (MUM-14) is a modular, passive NVD designed to maintain situation awareness in a range of low-light conditions, utilising a single Gen III ...

• Data links

  Micro TMA

  Thales Micro TMA is a high-rate datalink designed for uncrewed platforms and video streaming applications from aircraft. It provides command and control functions as well ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64D Apache Longbow

  The AH-64D Apache Longbow is an out-of-production attack helicopter that Boeing manufactured. Boeing delivered the first Apache Longbow in April 1997. From 2012, the Block III ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Apache Longbow Training System

  The Longbow Crew Trainer is the centrepiece of Boeing’s AH-64 Apache training. Pilots and other personnel use the high-fidelity flight simulator to practice aircraft procedures ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Gambit (Series)

  The Gambit Series are five UAV variants based around the Gambit Core, a common system containing the platform's hardware: landing gear, baseline avionics, chassis, and other essential functions.  ...

• Air: aerial targets

  BQM-34 Firebee

  The BQM-34 Firebee is an uncrewed aerial target system that the USAF and USN have used for more than 50 years. The primary mission of ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  WAH-64 Apache

  The WAH-64/AH1 Apache is a variant of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow, developed and built by Leonardo from 1996 to meet British Army requirements. One ...