• Defence Notes

  UK Indo-Pacific tilt risks obscuring importance of Middle East

  27th April 2021

  The special naval relationship between the UK and US could be jeopardised if the former focuses too much on the Indo-Pacific region by drawing resources away from the strategically important Arabian Gulf.

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall denies Challenger 2 upgrade contract speculation

  19th March 2021

  Rheinmetall has poured cold water on social media speculation about signing a £750 million ($1.4 billion) contract from the UK to upgrade Challenger 2 MBTs, saying instead that is still negotiating with the MoD. The future of the MBT Life Extension Programme will be defined by the second part of the Integrated Review.

• Training

  New joint Hawk squadron heralds mutual benefits for Qatar and UK

  12th April 2021

  The new RAF/QEAF Hawk squadron is bringing major benefits to both parties but especially to the RAF.

• Naval Warfare

  USN selects industry partner to modernise combat systems

  7th April 2021

  The USN wants to insert COTS technologies and open architecture designs into combat systems used by its surface vessels.

• Air Warfare

  Thailand receives more Russian-built helicopters

  7th April 2021

  Russian Mi-17V-5 and American S-70i Black hawks are among the newest helicopters in Thai military service.

• Naval Warfare

  Taiwan launches first domestically built LPD

  14th April 2021

  Taiwan continues to upgrade its navy with domestically built vessels, and a new LPD is now on the horizon.

• Air Warfare

  Controlling the Skies - Fighter Aircraft Central to AsPac Defence Spending (Studio)

  19th March 2021

  The evolution of adversary capabilities is one of the major factors driving Asia-Pacific countries to upgrade their ageing fighter aircraft fleets.

• Air Warfare

  India to lease naval helicopters in the interim

  29th April 2021

  With roadblocks in its Naval Utility Helicopter programme, India's Navy sees leasing as a potential stop-gap solution.

• Land Warfare

  'Deplorable' AFV programmes leave British Army at risk from peer adversaries, Defence Committee warns

  16th March 2021

  Released just before the first part of the Integrated Review is unveiled on 16 March, the latest House of Commons Defence Committee report highlighted obsolescence in the British Army armoured vehicle fleet and warned that the service is at serious risk of being outmatched by its most challenging peer adversaries.

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia tests IFV contenders

  19th April 2021

  The Slovak MoD is pushing ahead with the procurement of new infantry fighting vehicles to replace its old Soviet-era platforms. Companies interested in bidding for the programme are bringing their platforms to Slovakia to demonstrate their capabilities throughout early 2021.

• Air Warfare

  First Lot 1 production F-15EX set for tests at Eglin

  12th March 2021

  F-15EX will be a ‘key element of our tactical fighter fleet’, says USAF; two out of eight Lot 1 aircraft will be delivered by end of April 2021.

• Naval Warfare

  UAE firm showcases three fast craft

  1st March 2021

  Three boats from Aksum Marine were included in the live demonstration programme at NAVDEX, as Gulf states pay closer attention to fast craft capabilities in the context of the continuing Iranian threat.

• Air Warfare

  USAF weighs up concerns and contenders for B-52H engine replacement

  12th April 2021

  Three bidders are vying for a lucrative contract to replace more than 600 engines powering the B-52H but the USAF faces a tricky decision.

• Air Warfare

  Controlling the Skies - Air Dominance Solutions for the Asia Pacific (Studio)

  18th March 2021

  Air dominance must be achieved against the backdrop of multi-domain operations for militaries across the Asia-Pacific.

• Air Warfare

  Independent technical assessment to recommend fix for F-35 programme

  12th March 2021

  The F-35 programme faces the double challenge of an independent technical baseline review and renewed political scrutiny.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Netherlands]

  Programme Background The Netherlands was planning to procure a total of 46 aircraft for €5,5 billion ($6.17 billion) to replace its ageing F-16 Fighting Falcon ...

• Trainer

  S-211 Replacement [Philippines]

  Programme Background Requirement The Philippines is looking at replacement options for its ageing fleet of S-211 trainer jets. The S-211s have been in operation with ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (1-8) [Bulgaria]

  Programme Background Requirement Bulgarian MoD plans to procure 16 new-built fighter aircraft to replace its fleet of 15 Russian-manufactured MiG-29 fighters. Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block ...

• Maritime patrol

  AVSIMAR (France)

  Programme Background In November 2018, the French MoD announced that it awarded a contract for the detailed definition study of the future surveillance and maritime ...

• ISR/special mission

  Baekdu-II (South Korea)

  Programme Background This ISR aircraft programme, which first appeared on the 2020-24 Mid-Term Defense Acquisition Plan, comprises four Baekdu-II aircraft. These will add to two ...

• 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

  F-16V [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement Turkish Air Force ordered 100 F-35A aircraft as a partner nation, however, the country was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Denmark

  Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements of the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V (9-16) [Bulgaria]

  Programme Background In April 2022, the US State Department approved a potential FMS worth $1.673 million to procure eight F-16Vs to Bulgaria. The aircraft are ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70 (Bahrain)

  Programme Background In 2018, the US government awarded a $1.12 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to produce 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, which ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16 Replacement [Portugal]

  Programme Background At the Portuguese National Defense Conference on April 22, 2025, General João Cartaxo Alves reaffirmed that the F-35A remains the sole viable successor ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Bradley M2A2 (Croatia)

  Programme Background First hinted at in 2017, the signing of a contract between Croatia and the US follows five years of negotiations. Seeking to fill ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

• Data links

  Data links | Next Generation Fighter (Romania)

  In February 2022 Romanian President Klaus Iohannis gave a speech stating that Romania was considering the acquisition of F-35 fighters to replace its F-16 inventory in ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/ALQ-178(V)

  BAE System’s AN/ALQ-178(V) is an integrated self-protection system designed to protect combat aircraft. During its service life it has outfitted several airframes including the Dassault ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F101-GE-102

  Manufactured by GE Aviation, the F101-GE-102 was a turbofan engine that weighed 1,996kg and powered the B-1B Lancer. It delivered 30,000lbs of thrust. The engine’s ...

• 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 ...

• EO/IR systems

  AN/AAQ-14

  The AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) targeting pod is a crucial component of the LANTIRN system, developed by Martin Marietta ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-83 SABR

  The AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar being developed by Northrop Grumman using its own ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16E/F Block 60

  The F-16E/F Block 60/61 ('E' single-seat, 'F' dual-seat) is a fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft introduced as part of the Fighting Falcon family. It is also ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  TJ 20A

  The TJ 20A is a small engine designed for UAV applications. The engine is controlled by a fuel pump, electronic valves and sensors integrated in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-2A/B

  Based on the design of the F-16 Fighting Falcon family, the F-2 Support Fighter is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft produced for the Japan Air ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  ASPIS

  Raytheon’s Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suite, better known as ASPIS, was developed to equip the Hellenic Air Force’s (HAF) fleet of General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting ...

• 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 ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-66

  The AN/APG-66 is an X-band, solid-state, medium-range pulse-Doppler radar designed for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, now adapted to platforms including Hawk 200, PBN Defender, Skyhawk, T-39N ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F100-PW-100

  The origin of the F100-PW-100 engine can be traced back to 1970 when Pratt & Whitney won a competition to design and manufacture the propulsion ...

• 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 ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  PGM-500/PGM-2000

  The PGM-500 and PGM-2000 are short-range ASMs manufactured in the UK and the US. They were developed and originally manufactured by Alenia Marconi Systems and ...