• Digital Battlespace

  Weakest link eliminated in international exercise

  4th June 2019

  The wide availability of Link 16 is now removing interoperability issues between air power platforms during challenging international training exercises. At an Arctic Challenge Exercise …

• Naval Warfare

  Carrier stamps France’s presence in Indo-Pacific

  6th June 2019

  The Charles de Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier entered the waters of the Pacific region for the first time in 17 years, its first deployment after …

• Naval Warfare

  Austal USA protests Littoral Combat Ship services contract

  30th May 2019

  Austal USA is formally challenging a recent US Navy contract award to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) to oversee work on in-service Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). …

• Military Logistics

  USAF to receive new munitions research complex

  10th May 2019

  The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has broken ground on a new $75 million Advanced Munitions Technology Complex (AMTC) at Eglin Air Force Base …

• Naval Warfare

  Sea-Air-Space 2019: Northrop Grumman assess launch AARGM-ER possibilities

  8th May 2019

  Northrop Grumman is currently assessing how its Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) munition could be developed into a surface launched asset. The US Navy (USN) …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2019: L3 unveils new goggle design

  24th May 2019

  L3 Integrated Land Systems has received permission from a undisclosed customer to unveil its next-generation panoramic night vision goggle at this week’s Special Operations Forces …

• Defence Notes

  Small steps for the Boeing F-15EX

  16th May 2019

  Boeing’s next-generation F-15EX fighter aircraft has made another small, if potentially feeble, step with inclusion in the US House Appropriations Committee draft FY 2020 defence …

• Defence Notes

  Japan finds parts of crashed F-35 fighter jet

  7th May 2019

  Japan said on 7 May that it had recovered some debris from a stealth fighter jet that crashed in April, but was still looking for …

• Training

  ITEC 2019: Germany closes Tornado gap

  15th May 2019

  The German Air Force (GAF) and navy was one of the largest customers for the Panavia Tornado aircraft and although the latter has disposed of …

• Defence Notes

  BAE Systems eyes artillery, radar and ship opportunities in Asia

  30th May 2019

  BAE Systems’ new Asia managing director, Natasha Pheiffer, is looking to deepen partnerships and provide Asian countries with indigenous capabilities in a region with multitudinous …

• Training

  A rocky road ahead for Canada's future aircrew trainer

  30th May 2019

  Since starting discussions with industry in 2013 concerning its Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) requirement, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has now selected five companies …

• Naval Warfare

  Greece to upgrade its Hydra-class frigates

  28th May 2019

  This story and all our pay-walled content can be accessed by new users with a free trial of our Premium News service. Click Here The upgrade of …

• Digital Battlespace

  Leonardo’s BriteCloud EAD selected for ANG testing

  17th May 2019

  Leonardo’s BriteCloud expendable active decoy (EAD) has been selected by the US Department of Defense for evaluation by the US Air National Guard (ANG), the …

• Digital Battlespace

  Saab's Arexis jamming pod nears flight testing

  23rd May 2019

  Ahead of schedule the Saab electronic attack jamming pod for its Arexis electronic package is moving forward to flight tests this year after an original …

• Defence Notes

  Athens investing in its air force

  25th April 2019

  A wide-ranging fleet upgrade effort of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is set to see an upgrade of significant proportion to its existing Lockheed Martin …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Denmark]

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

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Turkey]

  Background Programme involvement Turkish involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme began in the early 2000s, with the country's participation beginning in the concept demonstration ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan

  In 2019, Japan requested to be an official partner in the F-35 programme, but this request was rejected by the Pentagon. The F-35 Joint Strike ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Tornado Replacement (F-35A) [Germany]

  Background Requirement In March 2020, it emerged that the German government was considering  30 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to replace 45 nuclear-capable Tornados. The remaining 40 Tornados ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (31-40) [Italy]

  Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, 131 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35 [Morocco]

  Background Acquisition motivation Morocco has been in negotiations with the US since 2020 over the potential acquisition of an F-35 fleet, which would make the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir (1-50) [Israel]

  Background F-35I modifications The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan Follow On

  The F-35 full-rate production is expected to be further delayed following an October 2020 US DoD announcement that postponed the simulation tests, originally planned for 2017 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Fighter Aircraft [United Arab Emirates]

  Bids and suppliers Lockheed MartinOn 10 November 2020, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS of 50 F-35As to UAE ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B [UK]

  Programme Background The total cost of the currently funded programme as reported through the UK Major Projects Report is expected to be £10.5 billion ($13.5 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JAS-39C/D Gripen replacement [Czech Republic]

  Background Requirements The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (1-30) [Italy]

  The 2019 and 2020 budget contained significant funding for the F-35 programme: €690 million ($775 million) in 2019 and €859 million ($962 million) in 2020, ...

• 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 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (1-60) [Italy]

  Background Requirement The total requirement for the first round of funded platforms was 90 F-35 - 30 F-35B and 60 F-35A. The original plan committed ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir

  The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the F-16 fleet in ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  JSM

  The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multi-role version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the ...

• EO/IR systems

  F-35 Lightning II Advanced EOTS

  The F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is a sensor that combines targeting forward-looking IR (FLIR) and IR search and track (IRST) capabilities for ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F135

  The F135, designed and developed by Pratt & Whitney, is one of the most advanced fighter engines in the world that delivers more than 40,000lb ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35B

  The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The USMC is the main customer for the F-35B, ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  F-35 Gen III HMDS

  The F-35 Gen III helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) is provided by a joint venture between Elbit Systems of America and Rockwell Collins, developed for the F-35 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A

  The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with CTOL capabilities. It is a multinational programme led by the US DoD, bringing together ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  25mm PGU-48/B

  The 25mm PGU-48/B is a medium-calibre armour-penetrating round manufactured by American Rheinmetall. The US Air Force uses the PGU-48/B with its F-35 aircraft.

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-81

  AN/APG-81 is operating in the X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar designed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems for the F-35 “Lightning” all-weather ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35C

  The F-35C Lightning II, also known as the F-35 carrier variant (CV), is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft in carrier configuration. It has larger wings 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 ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  F-35 Training System

  BAE Systems is involved in F-35 Lightning II Training System design and sustainment, working with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems leads the instructional systems ...

• 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 ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F414-GE-400

  The F414-GE-400 is a turbofan engine manufactured by GE Aviation and has various advanced technology features such as a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC), ...

• Guided munitions

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon to equip F-15, F/A-18 and F-35. It is also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The StormBreaker includes a ...