• Defence Notes

  A “bolder, more radical” UK Strategic Defence Review will be published within two weeks, says key reviewer

  22nd May 2025

  The UK Strategic Defence Review, which was anticipated to be published by mid-2025, has been given a more definitive release date by the report’s lead reviewer.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed wins $270 million USAF contract for F-22 infrared sensor upgrade

  23rd January 2025

  Tactical Infrared Search and Track (TacIRST) sensors will be installed to boost the fighter’s survivability and lethality.

• Land Warfare

  Czech Republic set to order RBS 70 NG systems as CAESAR howitzers begin production

  2nd June 2025

  The Czech Government is to approve the purchase of a fleet of vehicle mounted integrated air defence systems as the country invests to overhaul its equipment. Spending includes two dozen F-35As, CAESAR howitzers and refurbished Leopard tanks.

• Air Warfare

  Germany looks to upgrade KEPD 350 missiles and Sweden begins purchase process

  4th March 2025

  The Taurus KEPD 350 is an air-launched cruise missile developed by Taurus Systems, a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Saab Dynamics. The German contract is for maintenance and modernisation of German Air Force missiles.

• Naval Warfare

  HALO programme decommissioned by US Navy in favour of LRASM upgrades

  22nd April 2025

  The programme was due to be at full operational capability in the US Navy by 2031, but has been pulled over cost and timeline concerns.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed sees 5% 2024 sales growth as CEO says DOGE is an “opportunity” for growth

  5th February 2025

  Lockeed Martin’s aeronautics sector saw $20 billion in orders, driven by its Lot 18 F-35 and US fiscal year F-35 sustainment contract wins.

• Defence Notes

  Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees

  26th March 2025

  The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed wins $8.7 million contract for Singapore F-16 upgrades

  21st January 2025

  The contract modification announced by the DSCA, will cover consolidated spares in support of Singapore’s F-16 upgrade programme.

• Naval Warfare

  US lawmakers approve a $37 billion investment in shipbuilding programmes

  22nd July 2025

  Available until 2030, the funding supports multiple efforts, including Columbia and Virginia-class submarines, Arleigh-class destroyers and Ford-class carriers.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy’s next-generation sensor for Super Hornets achieves Initial Operating Capability

  5th February 2025

  The full rate production decision is scheduled for first-half 2025 and this will authorise the US Navy (USN) to fully outfit its carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons with InfraRed Search-and-Track (IRST) Block II.

• Air Warfare

  StormShroud enters service with UK RAF to suppress enemy air defences

  2nd May 2025

  StormShroud is designed to support UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin F-35B and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft by providing suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD). It is built around the Tekever AR3 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) and Leonardo BriteStorm electronic warfare (EW) jammer payload.

• Air Warfare

  India moves to address fighter jet shortfalls amid rising regional pressures

  4th April 2025

  Delays, dwindling squadrons and global competition spur belated momentum in airpower procurement.

• Air Warfare

  Lockheed secures more than $12 billion in contracts for F-35 production and TR-3 upgrades

  9th January 2025

  The contracts include a $678.4-million contract for F-35 modification kits, along with an earlier December 2024 contract worth $11.7 billion for the production and delivery of 145 F-35 Lot 18 aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy to explore integration of LRASMs on F-15E and F-15EX aircraft

  13th January 2025

  The contract opportunity, spearheaded by Naval Air Systems Command, intends to integrate and test the AGM-158C missile on the aircraft platform.

• Naval Warfare

  Spanish F-110 frigate’s new SPY-7 radar achieves successful track, keeping launch on schedule

  16th January 2025

  The SPY-7 radar will undergo testing and calibration down to its component level before it is handed over to the Spanish Navy.

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 ...