• Defence Notes

  Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet

  3rd March 2025

  Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.

• Land Warfare

  The challenge of making the inflatable illusion and training centre

  21st April 2025

  Faking aircraft, yanks and vehicles has a storied history through the previous century but there are others uses for inflatable systems such as more detailed and classified military equipment and training structures.

• Training

  Australia’s exercise tempo increases as it looks east for national defence

  7th October 2024

  The Australian Government has focused heavily on the defence of its north-west coast, with plans to move its attack helicopters to the area, as well as base its maritime patrol assets in the region.

• Defence Notes

  Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard

  1st November 2024

  The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.

• Air Warfare

  Greenlight for Romania’s F-35 purchase takes approvals for the decade to almost $35 billion

  16th September 2024

  Romania is set to get the go-ahead for the purchase of F-35s after approval by the US State Department. Challenges before pen is put to paper remain, however, despite US$34.9 billion for 156 F-35s and equipment and systems having been approved to date.

• Air Warfare

  Is Chinese naval air power ready for action?

  30th December 2024

  What role will the new jets and aircraft carriers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy play in Beijing’s wider fleet?

• Air Warfare

  Ghost Bat drone makes first deployment in latest milestone

  25th June 2025

  In the past 18 months, Boeing’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat uncrewed aerial system (UAS) has achieved several milestones including teaming with manned aircraft, achieving 100 flight hours and training of first military pilot.

• Air Warfare

  Australia wins approval from US for 100 AGM-88G missiles

  30th September 2024

  All Australia’s fixed-wing fighter aircraft can carry the missiles and work has been underway to investigate the use of the missile from P-8A MPAs which are also operated by Australia.

• Land Warfare

  Saab to supply Giraffe radars to US Air Force in Europe

  9th December 2024

  Saab began development of the radar in 2012. Production started in 2014 and Sweden ordered systems in 2020 for SEK2.1 billion as part of a five-year deal.

• Air Warfare

  RTX Raytheon wins billion-dollar contract for F-22 sensors

  2nd September 2024

  The details of the sensor upgrade have yet to be formalised but could involve infrared search and tracking.

• Air Warfare

  Netherlands commits €400 million into drones for Ukraine defence

  8th October 2024

  The Netherlands has already spent approximately €4 billion so far in military support to Ukraine.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force pushes NGAD decision to Trump administration

  6th December 2024

  NGAD has been on hold since mid-2024, while the branch reassessed the scope and cost of the programme.

• Defence Notes

  UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?

  30th October 2024

  The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.

• Naval Warfare

  Italian Navy finally takes delivery of Trieste

  10th December 2024

  The largest ship built in Italy in the post-war period has been delivered, and is expected to significantly boost Italy’s Amphibious Task Group.

• Air Warfare

  China’s modernisation could “gradually erode” US advantage, says IISS

  13th February 2025

  China’s growing capabilities, such as newly unveiled combat aircraft designs and ongoing J-20 aircraft production, were noted as examples of the country's rapid modernisation efforts and military reforms.

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

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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-16V [Philippines]

  The U.S. State Department confirmed the approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $5.58 billion for 20 F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. The Defence Security ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-16V [Philippines]

  The U.S. State Department confirmed the approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $5.58 billion for 20 F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. The Defence Security ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-16V [Philippines]

  The U.S. State Department confirmed the approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $5.58 billion for 20 F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. The Defence Security ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-16V [Philippines]

  The U.S. State Department confirmed the approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $5.58 billion for 20 F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. The Defence Security ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-16V [Philippines]

  The U.S. State Department confirmed the approval of a potential Foreign Military Sale worth $5.58 billion for 20 F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft. The Defence Security ...

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 ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F110-GE-129

  The F110-GE-129, manufactured by GE Aviation, is a derivative of the F110-GE-100 engine. It powers the F-16V Block 70, the F-16C/D Block 50 and Japan's ...

• 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 ...