• Training

  Kratos receives target drone contract

  3rd January 2018

  Kratos Defense and Security Solutions’ Composite Engineering subsidiary has received a $93 million contract for unmanned target aircraft from the US Army, the company announced …

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine civil war spawns new BTR-4 variant

  30th October 2017

  Lessons learnt from Ukraine's bloody civil war in the east has influenced the development of yet another variant of the BTR-4 wheeled 8x8 IFV, which …

• Training

  QinetiQ launches Mirach, Firejet aerial targets simultaneously

  17th October 2017

  QinetiQ has flown Firejet and Mirach aerial targets together for the first time during a live exercise from Ministry of Defence (MoD) Hebrides on the …

• Land Warfare

  Indra’s InShield DIRCM in flight test

  9th October 2017

  Indra’s InShield Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system has successfully passed in-flight tests during the NATO Trial EMBOW XVI exercise, the company announced on 5 October. …

• Special Operations

  USSOCOM publishes TALOS wish list

  3rd January 2018

  US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking technologies from industry to accelerate the delivery of innovative Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) capabilities to SOF.TALOS …

• Special Operations

  SOCOM conducts ThunderDrone Prototype Rodeo

  30th October 2017

  The US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is preparing to host the ThunderDrone Prototype Rodeo later this week at the newest SOFWERX facility in the Ybor …

• Special Operations

  USSOCOM looks to alternate mobility designs

  2nd January 2018

  US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is investigating alternative propulsion designs for its Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) fleet.  The command's interest in possible hybrid, fuel …

• Defence Notes

  AUSA 2017: Ukraine shows military might via US partnerships

  9th October 2017

  The Ukrainian defence industry has grown in strength since Russia's invasion in 2014, military and industry officials noted at an AUSA 2017 press conference in …

• Land Warfare

  Russian military tests the AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles

  24th October 2017

  The new-generation assault rifles of Kalashnikov dubbed AK-12 and AK-15 are set to undergo field trials in undisclosed Russian Land Forces units according to the …

• Training

  Sikorsky conducts HH-60W training systems CDR

  27th October 2017

  Sikorsky has successfully conducted the critical design review (CDR) of HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) programme training systems, Lockheed Martin announced on 25 October. This …

• Special Operations

  Pacific 2017: Tempting Australia with SDVs

  3rd October 2017

  Australia is looking forward to obtaining 12 new Future Submarines from Naval Group’s design studio under its Sea 1000 programme, but one French company is …

• Military Logistics

  Japan's first KC-46A tanker ordered

  2nd January 2018

  Boeing has received a contract to deliver a KC-46A Pegasus tanker and logistics support to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), the company announced on …

• Naval Warfare

  Analysis: China’s new African pearls

  4th January 2018

  A string of proposed new ports and railways in East Africa is feeding China’s appetite for a greater say in Indian Ocean maritime security arrangements, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ADEX 2017: Hanwha Techwin grows giant UGV

  23rd October 2017

  Hanwha Techwin, one of two South Korean companies bidding for a military contract for a future UGV, exhibited its large-size 6x6 entry at Seoul ADEX …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  TeAx introduces ThermalCapture IRnet

  8th January 2018

  TeAx Technology has introduced ThermalCapture IRnet - an Ethernet interface solution for live data streaming to new and existing FLIR Tau 2 cores and FLIR …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 TTH [France]

  Background In 2001, the French government made its first purchase of 34 NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters, followed by a second order in 2013 for an ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Joint Light Helicopter (HIL) programme [France]

  Background The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has elected to bring the launch of the French Armed Forces’ HIL programme forward to 2021. The ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - mini

  Micro & Mini Drones (France)

  Programme Background RequirementOn 23 April 2021, an RfP was published by the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé) to supply around 500 micro and nano drones for the ...

• Short Range Missile Defence Systems: 0 to 20 km range

  Mistral SHORAD [Romania]

  Background Romania signed a contract with the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans of the French Republic within the "European Joint Acquisition of Mistral ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | OPV Procurement (1-2) [Montenegro]

  During Euronaval 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans announced that Montenegro signed a contract for the acquisition of two OPV 60. Both ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | OPV Procurement (1-2) [Montenegro]

  During Euronaval 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans announced that Montenegro signed a contract for the acquisition of two OPV 60. Both ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | French MALE UAVs [France]

  Given the importance of UAVs in the Russo-Ukrainian War, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces decided it needed a French-made MALE UAV comparable to ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | French MALE UAVs [France]

  Given the importance of UAVs in the Russo-Ukrainian War, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces decided it needed a French-made MALE UAV comparable to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Switchblade 300 [France]

  Programme Background Plans to Purchase At Eurosatory 2022, Col. Arnaud Goujon, the French Army's chief of plans, told the media that the French Army was ...

• OPVs

  OPV Procurement (1-2) [Montenegro]

  Programme Background Timeline During Euronaval 2024, the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans announced that Montenegro signed a contract for the acquisition of two ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 (Special Forces) [France]

  Background In French service, advanced H225M Caracals with aerial refuelling capabilities are used by SOF units of the French Air Force (FAF) and French Army. ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (13-15) [France]

  Background In June 2020, The French government has pledged to buy new military heavy-lift helicopters and accelerate plans for naval drone, ISTAR and tanker aircraft programmes ...

• OPVs

  OPV 58 S [Senegal]

  Programme Background Senegal ordered three OPV 58 S patrol vessels on 17 November 2019. A procurement contract was signed between the Ministry of Armed Forces ...

• Loitering munitions

  Colibri: Short-range loitering munition (Contracted) [France]

  Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated at a press conference in May 2022 that the General Directorate for Armament (DGA) ...

• Loitering munitions

  Colibri: Short-range loitering munition (Uncontracted) [France]

  Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated at a press conference in May 2022 that the General Directorate for Armament (DGA) ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• CUAS - hybrid effector systems

  Boreades

  Boreades is a modular anti-UAV system developed by CS. This suite combines multi-sensors and multi-effectors in order to enable the detection, identification and neutralisation of rogue ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  UAS 100

  The UAS 100 is an autonomous, three-engined platform, modular UAS manufactured by Thales in partnership with Issoire Aviation, Hionos and with the support of the ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Vespa-15

  The Vespa-15 is a first-person view (FPV) rotary-wing UAV manufactured by a Ukrainian company.  In May 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Ukraine announced it ...

• OPVs

  OPV 60

  The OPV 60 is designed to conduct surveillance missions in coastal and EEZ waters. The ship can be armed with a 40mm naval gun and ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Tundra 2

  The Tundra 2 is a rotary-wing UAV from Hexadrone. It is described as a new, modular, plug-and-play, and multi-trade drone. Hexadrone's website states that the French Armed ...

• EO/IR systems

  Euroflir 350

  The Euroflir 350 is an out-of-production gyro-stabilised optronic system. According to Safran, it is effective at long ranges, can track mobile targets, designate important areas for ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 TTH

  Developed as a multinational programme between France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, the European NH90 was designed to meet NATO requirements for multirole capability from ...

• Military UAS - small

  Lanner

  Unveiled at Eurosatory 2024, the Lenner is a modified variant of the Pengion C VTOL drone, specifically modified to meet the SDTL (Light Tactical Drone System) program ...

• Military helicopters - light/training, Military helicopters - multirole, Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  H160M

  Airbus is developing the H160M to meet the requirements of the French military for the Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger, or HIL) programme. It ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  O-NYX

  The Thales O-NYX is a Ultra-Compact Night Vision Goggle used by the French armed forces. They have an enlarged field of vision to 51° compared ...

• Pistols

  Glock Pistol

  The Glock family of pistols have been in widespread service since the Glock 17 was selected for Austrian military and police service in 1982. The company's ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  TDS-FA/-TA/-H

  Thales’ TDS family is comprised of Radar Warning Receivers (RWRs) designed to equip a range of fixed-wing aircraft. The product series includes the TDS-FA designed ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Mistral 2

  MISTRAL is a man-portable, fully digital, heat-seeking missile designed to meet the requirements of all branches of the armed forces to defend against air threats. ...

• Trucks and utility vehicles - 4x4, Trucks and utility vehicles - 6x6, Trucks and utility vehicles - 8x8

  Kerax Family

  The Kerax family consists of off-road trucks available in 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 configurations, designed to meet the specific requirements of armed forces while utilizing ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Trapper VT4

  A militarised version of the commercial Ford Everest 4x4 sports utility vehicle, the Trapper VT4 light all-terrain vehicle has been selected as the French Army's ...