• Naval Warfare

  China’s third aircraft carrier commences sea trials

  3rd May 2024

  Fujian, China’s latest aircraft carrier, has embarked on its inaugural sea trials following delays to its construction but featuring technological advancements that have marked a leap in the maritime capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

• Digital Battlespace

  Transforming the battlefield: How DARPA’s manufacturing innovations is fuelling military flexibility

  3rd May 2024

  DARPA has been attempting to revolutionise military logistics with innovative manufacturing programmes like SURGE. Such programmes have been aimed at streamlining the qualification process and enhancing distributed production to ensure quick, adaptable supply of critical military parts using advanced technologies.

• Air Warfare

  First three MH-60R naval helicopters join Hellenic Navy

  22nd March 2024

  Greece has strengthened its naval prowess with the formal induction of the first three Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

• Land Warfare

  Germany orders more Patriot air defence systems

  26th March 2024

  The US Army has acquired more than 1,100 launchers of which it has exported at least 200 launchers, while more than 10,000 Patriot missiles have been produced to date.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system

  12th April 2024

  The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) made the decision to accelerate the laser programme from the demonstrational stage to an operational laser weapon.

• Land Warfare

  NATO orders more 155mm ammunition

  17th April 2024

  The contract, in the triple-digit million euro range, includes high explosive extended range projectiles, modular charges, fuzes and primers.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems

  11th April 2024

  As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing upgrades Australian P-8A Poseidon MPAs

  15th April 2024

  The upgrade contract could be extended beyond 2030 to cater for the additional two new P-8A Poseidons the Royal Australian Air Force was set to receive in the coming years.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Analysis: Europe emerges as a crucial strategic market for UAV manufacturers

  5th June 2024

  Europe's fragmented UAV market, driven by geopolitical factors and recent conflicts like the Russo–Ukrainian War, offers significant opportunities for drone manufacturers. Key technological advancements and evolving procurement strategies present a fertile landscape for growth and innovation in the region.

• Defence Notes

  US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025

  12th March 2024

  The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.

• Defence Notes

  NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls

  15th March 2024

  In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.

• Air Warfare

  Romania receives three more F-16 fighters from Norway

  22nd April 2024

  Romania has continued to marking progress in its efforts to modernise its air force and replace its Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters.

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems displays new AMPV and is awarded second production contract

  29th March 2024

  In January 2024, BAE Systems delivered the first Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) fitted with External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP) and displayed the system at AUSA Global Force Symposium on 26–28 March.

• Training

  Mercury Systems wins $243 million US Navy training contract

  11th March 2024

  Mercury System has been selected to supply rapidly reprogrammable electronic attack training subsystems to the US Navy.

• Digital Battlespace

  Ukraine taps into its citizens for ISTAR information

  2nd May 2024

  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 saw the country quickly establish a situational awareness system to support targeting and provide information to frontline troops.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  MiG-35 (Russia)

  The MiG-35 is a new-generation derivative of the twin-engine MiG-29 (NATO code-name ‘Fulcrum’) featuring multi-role combat capabilities, significantly reworked airframe and a vastly expanded arsenal ...

• Data links

  Data links | M-345 (Future Procurement) [Italy]

  The Italian Air Force is planning to purchase 27 M-345 trainer aircraft in addition to the 18 aircraft on order (see separate M-345 Italy entry).  ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | M-345 (Future Procurement) [Italy]

  The Italian Air Force is planning to purchase 27 M-345 trainer aircraft in addition to the 18 aircraft on order (see separate M-345 Italy entry).  ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | M-345 (Future Procurement) [Italy]

  The Italian Air Force is planning to purchase 27 M-345 trainer aircraft in addition to the 18 aircraft on order (see separate M-345 Italy entry).  ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | M-345 (Future Procurement) [Italy]

  The Italian Air Force is planning to purchase 27 M-345 trainer aircraft in addition to the 18 aircraft on order (see separate M-345 Italy entry).  ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  M-346 [Egypt]

  Programme Background According to various media reports published throughout 2022, Egypt was expected to sign an agreement covering the production of 20 M-346 training aircraft. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Next Generation Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft [Austria]

  Austria will replace its Saab 105 training fleet, which was retired from service in 2020. On 27 August 2024, Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner announced that Austria ...

• Data links

  Data links | Next Generation Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft [Austria]

  Austria will replace its Saab 105 training fleet, which was retired from service in 2020. On 27 August 2024, Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner announced that Austria ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Next Generation Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft [Austria]

  Austria will replace its Saab 105 training fleet, which was retired from service in 2020. On 27 August 2024, Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner announced that Austria ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Next Generation Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft [Austria]

  Austria will replace its Saab 105 training fleet, which was retired from service in 2020. On 27 August 2024, Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner announced that Austria ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Next Generation Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft [Austria]

  Austria will replace its Saab 105 training fleet, which was retired from service in 2020. On 27 August 2024, Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner announced that Austria ...

• Light attack

  M-346 FA [Brazil]

  Programme Background Requirement Brazil operates several A-1 (AMX) light attack aircraft, which were produced by Embraer in partnership with Leonardo in the 1980s. Similarly, the ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M-ATV [Uruguay]

  Programme background Uruguay maintains a relatively small army, which primarily operates Cold War-era equipment.  The procurement of second-hand M-ATVs is intended to provide a more ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Next Generation Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft [Austria]

  Programme Background Requirements Austria will replace its Saab 105 training fleet, which was retired from service in 2020. Austria's 2019 White paper calls for replacing it with ...

• OPVs

  Taepyungyang Class (14) [South Korea]

  The South Korean Coast Guard (KGC) currently operates 13 Taepyungyang-class large patrol vessels or also referred to as an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) but the Eastern ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  NavStorm-M

  BAE Systems' NavStorm-M is a gun-hardened, integrated anti-jamming and Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for artillery rounds, bombs, missiles, and uncrewed systems. It was revealed ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  LN-251

  Northrop Grumman's LN-251 is an Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS) solution. It is an integrated navigation system with an embedded 12/24 channel, All-In-View, Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4074ED SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS

  The KN-4074EB SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS has an enhanced capability for the KN4074E with P(Y) code equivalent DGPS corrections.

• UAS: communication systems

  N-100-6 GPS Antenna

  The N100-6 GPS antenna offers a polarimetric solution for multiple element outputs, and has been designed to provide a significantly reduced size aperture for anti-jam ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  ADA Anti-Jamming System

  The ADA is an airborne GNSS anti-jamming solution manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is designed to protect avionics systems from GPS jamming by using digital ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Common Open Reuse Environment

  The Lockheed Martin Common Open Reuse Environment (CORE) is an integrated glass cockpit and avionics solution that can interact with both civilian and military systems. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-434G/CS

  The PRC-434G/CS personal survival radio is a handheld, lightweight transceiver that is capable of responding to interrogations transmitted by the airborne location system. Short-burst transmissions ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4074E

  Produced by Kearfott, the KN-4074E SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS is a lightweight navigation system that can be used on various uncrewed or crewed applications, including fixed- and rotary-wing ...

• Subsystems: visual

  EuroSim

  EuroSim is a configurable simulator tool used to support all phases of space and non-space programmes through real-time simulations with a person and/or hardware-in-the-loop, and ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  Lynx

  The Lynx (AN/APY-8) is a synthetic aperture radar manufactured by General Atomics. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for manned and unmanned aircraft. According to ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M-ATV

  The Oshkosh 4x4 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) family of vehicles is designed to provide high levels of protection and mobility in off-road combat environments such ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4075 High Performance INS/GPS

  Kearfott’s KN-4075 High Performance INS/GPS system offers a low weight and small-size navigation system for a variety of rotary- and fixed-wing unmanned and manned aircraft ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4073C SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS

  The KN-4073C SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS is a lightweight navigation system that can be used on a range of manned aircraft applications, fixed- and rotary-wing ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  TESS

  The Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) is a transparent training instrumentation system designed for the AH-64 Apache Longbow Force-on-Force collective training for live aerial gunnery ...

• Maritime patrol

  US-2

  The ShinMaywa US-2 is an amphibious short take-off and landing aircraft used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for SAR.