• Naval Warfare

  Surface Navy 2018: Orbital ATK moving forward with counter-UAS

  11th January 2018

  As Pentagon leaders grapple with ways to counter unmanned aerial systems, Orbital ATK is moving forward with developing an attack capability to down small UAS …

• Digital Battlespace

  SpaceX says Falcon 9 rocket worked fine

  9th January 2018

  SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket worked fine in its launch of a secretive US government satellite, named Zuma, the company said on 9 January after reports …

• Military Logistics

  NZDF begins search for multiple vehicle fleets

  16th January 2018

  The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is preparing to kick off its Garrison and Training Support (GATS) programme, which will see a diverse fleet of …

• Digital Battlespace

  GeoSpectrum delivers TRAPS to Canadian Navy

  20th March 2018

  GeoSpectrum Technologies has delivered the containerised version of its Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar (TRAPS) to the Royal Canadian Navy, the company announced 15 March. …

• Military Logistics

  Marshall to support French C-130H fleet

  4th January 2018

  Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has received a contract from France's Service Industriel de l’Aéronautique (SIAé) to provide engineering services to the French Air Force …

• Naval Warfare

  USCG cutter officially retired

  21st March 2018

  The US Coast Guard's (USCG’s) Galveston Island cutter has been officially retired after nearly 26 years of service, US Pacific Command announced on 19 March. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russia receives Mi-28N Night Hunter helicopter

  5th January 2018

  Russian Helicopters ended 2017 with the delivery of a Mi-28N Night Hunter to the Russian armed forces. The attack helicopter was delivered to the Russian …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Polish Army gets acquainted with Warmate

  12th January 2018

  The first batch of Warmate loitering munitions was delivered to the Polish Army in late December, to be used for operator familiarisation and training.  The …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  China pushes boundaries with grand UAV ambitions

  3rd January 2018

  The Wing Loong II, from the Chengdu Aircraft Design & Research Institute (CADI), recently successfully test-fired five air-to-ground missiles during a single sortie, signalling that …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian Navy receives upgraded Ka-27Ms

  10th January 2018

  Russian Helicopters has transferred a batch of Ka-27M helicopters to the Russian Navy following their modernisation at the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. The helicopters will …

• Defence Notes

  New US defence strategy promises big ticket investments

  19th January 2018

  The Pentagon’s new National Defence Strategy (NDS) has outlined preparations for a conflict with strategic competitors Russia and China, while the Pentagon says it is …

• Digital Battlespace

  US Army chief looks to capitalise on AI and robotics

  18th January 2018

  While US Army leaders continue working to modernise their current weapons, platforms and networks, they are also seeking ways to capitalise on advancements in artificial …

• Land Warfare

  India may revive deal for Israeli missiles

  12th January 2018

  The Indian Army and the government of India are discussing ways to revive a $500 million order to buy Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Rafael, …

• Defence Helicopter

  Black Hawks soaring to Saudi Arabia

  12th January 2018

  Sikorsky has received the go ahead from the US Army to supply 17 UH-60M Black Hawk aircraft to Saudi Arabia under a four year contract worth …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aurora secures Orion UAS development contract

  5th January 2018

  Aurora Flight Sciences has received a $48 million contract from the US Air Force for the continued development of the Orion UAS, the company announced on …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-12) [France]

  Background In November 2014, The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has confirmed purchase of 12 A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling aircraft from Airbus. The contract will cover the development ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Spain

  In December 2018, Spain Air Force took delivery of its first A400M. The aircraft will be operated by the Air Transport Wing (ATW) 31 of the ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and operational ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Strategic Tanker Transport [Canada]

  Background This project will replace the existing fleet capability, including strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, Aeromedical Evacuations and Strategic Government of Canada transport. The Strategic Tanker ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-390 [Hungary]

  Programme Background The aircraft for Hungary will be specially configured for tactical transport operations, air-to-air refuelling of the service's Saab Gripen C/D fighters, and medical ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-390 [Colombia]

  Background Role and requirements The Colombian KC-390s are going to be used for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, cargo/troop transport, and air-to-air refuelling. The aircraft will ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y tanker aircraft [USA]

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8I Follow-On [India]

  Programme Background The IN currently has eight P-8I aircraft in service, these ordered on 4 January 2009 for $2.1 billion. India inducted its first P-8I ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8I (13-18) [India]

  Programme Background India previously bought eight P-8Is from Boeing in 2009 in a direct commercial sale, adding four more in 2016. India inducted its first ...

• Transport

  C-130J [USA]

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and foreign ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Follow-On (Israel Aid) [U.S.]

  Programme Background In August 2025, Israel approved the acquisition of 2 additional KC-46A aircraft as a follow-on to a 2022 contract for four aircraft. The ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 [Argentina]

  Background The Chief of the Argentine Air Force, Brigadier Gustavo Valverde, announced that a formal request was submitted through the U.S. FMS process for two KC-135R variant ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-25 Stingray (16-76) [USN]

  Background Initial requirements The programme looked different when it began. In 2013, the USN awarded four Preliminary Design Review (PDR) contracts to Boeing, General Atomics, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-767 JBOT Trainer

  ACME has delivered a Remote Air Refueling Operator trainer to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The trainer supports the KC-767J tanker aircraft that has a remote ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT

  The 111t basic fuel capacity of the A330-200 airliner – from which the A330 is derived – enables the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 MRTT Training Devices

  Under subcontract to Airbus Defence and Space, CAE has provided A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) training devices to the UAE Air Force and Royal Saudi ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  X-47B UCAS

  The X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft, which was developed as part of the USN's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration project. The aircraft ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  MC-X Orca

  At DX Korea 2022, KAI presented an MC-X Orca medium transport aircraft concept model. The twin-engine aircraft is aimed at the Republic of Korea Air Force ...

• Surface-to-air missiles, Loitering munitions

  359

  Unveiled in January 2025, the 359 is a surface-to-air (SAM) loitering munition. It is designed to engage targets such as AWACS, refuelling tankers, and other high-altitude surveillance and ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hellenic Air Force F-16 ATD

  L3Harris Technologies has delivered two F-16C Block 52+ Aircrew Training Devices (ATDs) to the Hellenic Air Force. The trainers enable pilots to hone air-to-air and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Trailers

  M900 Series

  Heil’s M900-series tactical refuellers are designed and built to meet US military performance standards. The M967A2 ground equipment refueller and the M969A3 aircraft refueller are ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  M-346 FMS

  Developed in conjunction with CAE, the M-346 Full Mission Simulator (FMS) can emulate basic fighter manoeuvres, formation flight, in-flight refuelling and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  MB-339C

  The MB-339C is an advanced/lead-in fighter trainer developed based on the MB-339A that made its first flight in August 1976. The latest MB-339C version is ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  CF6-80E1A3

  The CF6-80E engines, developed by GE Aviation, power the newest generation of airliners such as Airbus A330. The engine incorporates a new 96-inch (2.44 meters) ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Transport, Refuelling and Sensor Aircraft Training

  Thales supports air force training needs for multi-mission aircraft in service around the world including A400M, MRTT/Voyager, Boeing Wedgetail, C-130 and KC-135, covering tactical airlift, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Fast Jet Training

  Thales provides a suite of training products for the life-cycle of military fast jet training. These encompass the design, development and establishment of training services ...

• ISR/special mission, Transport

  EC-130J Commando Solo

  The EC-130J Commando Solo is a special mission aircraft based on the C-130J transport airframe. It is used to conduct military information support operations and ...