• Defence Helicopter

  Motor Sich rolls out first Mi-8MSB from Sharjah plant

  28th November 2017

  Ukrainian company Motor Sich showcased at Dubai Airshow 2017 its first Mi-8MSB upgrade (pictured), completed at its new plant in Sharjah.  This can be regarded …

• Defence Notes

  Dubai Airshow 2017: Show highlights (video)

  15th November 2017

  As the end draws near for the 2017 edition of the Dubai Airshow, Shephard's rotary editor Helen Haxell heads outside of the halls to recap …

• Special Operations

  Dubai Airshow 2017: Not SOFt on C-130J

  21st November 2017

  Lockheed Martin is positioning its C-130J-SOF export variant as the go-to aircraft for special operation forces helicopter and fixed-wing refuelling needs. Pushing hard on the …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: GlobalSim to deliver sims to USARC

  25th November 2017

  GlobalSim has announced that it has been placed under contract by the US Army Reserve Command (USARC) to provide a number of different training simulators to …

• Land Warfare

  Russia boosts Iskander-M inventory

  27th November 2017

  The Russian Navy has strengthened its tactical ballistic missile (TBM) inventory by adding its first brigade equipped with the new 9K720 Iskander-M (NATO SS-26 Stone) system.The …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: British Army explores augmented reality

  24th November 2017

  As augmented reality (AR) technology gathers traction the British Army hosted a demonstration last month to show its capabilities in training forward observation officers. The …

• Defence Helicopter

  GE Aviation receives T408 LRIP contract

  22nd November 2017

  GE Aviation has received a $140 million low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract from the US Naval Air Systems Command to build 22 T408-GE-400 engines to …

• Land Warfare

  Otokar submits bid for Altay serial production

  23rd November 2017

  Otokar has submitted its proposal for the serial production of the Altay main battle tank (MBT) to the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Milipol Paris 2017: Aeraccess unveils new Hawkeye UAS

  28th November 2017

  French drone manufacturer Aeraccess unveiled its new Hawkeye man-packable micro UAS at the Milipol internal security fair near Paris. According to Shehzaad Callachand, general manager …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: NCS announces new board members

  22nd November 2017

  The National Centre for Simulation (NCS) has announced two new additions to its 2018 board of directors. Rob Matthews, strategic adviser for modelling and simulation …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Iraq eyes possible Prion Mk3 purchase

  21st November 2017

  The Iraqi Ministry of Defence is in discussions with UK-based UAV manufacturer UAVE for the purchase of at least a dozen Prion Mk3 platforms. If purchased, the …

• Land Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2017: Oshkosh sands down its JLTV (video)

  16th November 2017

  Oshkosh continues its efforts to market the JLTV to potential customers around the world with a presence in Dubai, where bedded down on a carpet …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Another ADMS sale for ETC

  20th November 2017

  Orlando-based ETC Simulation, part of Environmental Tectonics Corporation, has delivered an Advanced Disaster Management Simulator (ADMS) system to Montgomery Fire Rescue, in Montgomery, Alabama. The …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: DiSTI launches GL Studio v.6.1

  23rd November 2017

  Visualisation and 3D virtual maintenance trainer (VMT) specialists, Orlando-based DiSTI Corporation has released v.6.1 of its GL Studio product, the first major iteration of v.6 that …

• Military Logistics

  Dubai Airshow 2017: Japan's C2 makes a presence (video)

  12th November 2017

  UV editor Richard Thomas talks through the significance of the Japanese Air Force's Kawasaki C-2 aircraft presence at the Dubai Airshow 2017.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport

  Medium Transport Aircraft (DROP) [Poland​]

  Background Requirement Poland acquired the C-130E Hercules over a decade ago under the US FMS programme. Deliveries started in 2009 and ran through to summer ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Armoured Infantry Combat Vehicle (VBC Fuz) [Brazil]

  Programme background Technical requirements The Brazilian Army released two documents outlining the technical and operational requirements for the VBC Fuz in early 2020. These outline ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Programme Background Requirements Sweden has five C-130H aircraft (designated Tp-84) and one KC-130H. Two C-130Es bought in the 1960s have retired, but the six H ...

• Military UAS - mini

  RQ-11 Raven [Czech Republic]

  Methodology PGO and programme status The contract has been awarded and completed, giving a PGO of 100%. Units required The 2009 programme involved the procurement ...

• Loitering munitions

  Warmate [Ukraine]

  Programme Background Ukraine placed an order for an undisclosed number of Warmate systems in 2017. Shepherd believes units acquired in this order later were utilised ...

• Military UAS - small

  ScanEagle (11-20) [Czech Republic]

  Methodology PGO and programme status Since Defence Insight cannot find any evidence of a procurement, the effort has been marked as cancelled. Therefore, it has ...

• Minehunters

  Awaji Class (1-4) [Japan]

  Programme Background Two Awaji class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMV) were ordered from the Japanese shipyard Japan Marine United (JMU) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) initially. ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Ejder Yalçın (Batch 1) [Qatar]

  Background In the face of deteriorating relations with some of its neighbours in the Gulf, Qatar has forged closer defence ties with Turkey. This has ...

• OPVs

  Inlay Class (second OPV)

  Programme Background The Inlay class originally consists of a single OPV in service with the Myanmar Navy. However, a second Inlay-class OPV has been reported under construction since ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Aerostar [Mexico]

  Methodology Unit cost Based on the UAV’s MTOW and the Defence Insight database, Shephard estimates the aircraft’s 2026 gross and flyaway unit costs are $1.95 million and $1.58 million, respectively. Based ...

• Military UAS - small

  HUSAR (2023 Order) [Germany]

  Programme Background First Order In 2015, the German Army launched the HUSAR programme to identify a replacement for its Airbus Defence & Space KZO and ...

• OPVs

  Cyprus Second Sa'ar 62 OPV

  Programme BackgroundThe Republic of Cyrus' Ministry of Defence placed an order with Israel Shipyards for its first Sa'ar 62  OPV in December 2015 in a project valued ...

• Patrol boats

  Rajshree Class (Flight II)

  Programme BackgroundThe Rajshree class is to consist of 13 FPVs built in two separate flights. Flight I saw construction begin in 2010 and all eight vessels ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [Germany]

  Background 2017 MPA programme (cancelled) In 2017, Germany and France announced that they would be developing a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to replace their current ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Makassar Class LPD (7)

  Indonesia signed a contract for $150 million for two LPDs in the Makassar class, KRI Makassar and KRI Surabaya, with South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Pistols

  Jericho Pistol 941

  Designed for military and law enforcement users, the Jericho Pistol 941 is available in 9mm, .40 S&W; and .45 ACP calibres and in standard, short ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Guará WS

  Avibras is marketing the 4x4 Guará WS light armoured vehicle, a further development of its 4x4 AV-VB4 RE Guará prototype. Developed in cooperation with the ...

• Land: manned turrets

  TORC30

  The TORC30 is a stabilised unmanned turret armed with a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM 30mm cannon being developed by Ares, an Elbit subsidiary, and the Brazilian Army’s ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  V-RAPTOR

  Unveiled at LAAD 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, the V-RAPTOR is a tactical police armoured vehicle from domestic manufacturer Combat Armor Defense do Brasil.

• Military UAS - mini

  Nauru 100D

  The Nauru 100D is a mini fixed-wing UAV from Xmobots. Unveiled at the 2025 LAAD Defence & Security tradeshow, the aircraft is VTOL-capable, developed for ISTAR, and ...

• Air: Displays

  Panoramic Cockpit Display

  Developed by L3Harris and Elbit Systems America, the Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) is a touchscreen MFD integrated into F-35 aircraft. It provides two electronically divided ...

• Anti-ship missiles

  MANSUP/MANSUP-ER

  MANSUP (Míssil Antinavio Nacional de Superfície) is a surface-to-surface anti-ship missile developed in Brazil. Its first test launch was conducted in 2018. MANSUP is going to ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Armadillo TA-2

  The Armadillo TA-2 is an automatic or manned rocket launcher system designed to be fully retracted inside a 4x4 light vehicle.The concept, which was being ...

• EW test systems, Air: chaff/flare/decoy systems

  CAST-easy

  RUAG unveiled the Countermeasure Advanced System Test Equipment (CAST-easy) in 2017 earmarking it for the Panavia Tornado series of combat aircraft. The 2017 announcement stated ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-390/C-390 Millennium

  The KC-390 is a high-wing, twin-turbofan, T-tail design intended to meet the needs of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for a tanker/transport aircraft. Developed and ...

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  Drone Deterrence System

  First unveiled at the LIMA 2017 exhibition by Mitsubishi Electric, the Drone Deterrence System began to be developed in 2014 and made its first sale in ...

• Individual assault/anti-tank weapons

  Fletcher

  Arnold Defense, which has produced more than 1.1 million 2.75in/70mm rocket launchers for airborne applications since 1961, unveiled the Fletcher 2.75in/70mm Weapon System at the September ...

• Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  FJ33-5A

  The FJ33-5A is a turbofan engine manufactured by Williams. The engine achieved EASA certification in April 2017, and is used onboard the XQ-58 Valkyrie UAV. 

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Albion Class

  The two Albion-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, were built for the UK Royal Navy to replace the older 1960s vintage ...

• Minehunters

  Kormoran II Class

  Three Kormoran II-class minehunters were budgeted for the Polish Navy in 2011, and a contract was placed for a prototype in 2013, with the first ...