• Defence Notes

  IDEX 2023: Patria debuts through-life fleet support solution

  21st February 2023

  A new concept from Patria, Optime, is designed to improve the availability and lifespan of armed forces systems.

• Training

  Exercise Red Flag to focus on young operators

  27th January 2023

  This year's Red Flag exercises will see Australia, the UK and the US focus on the Indo-Pacific theatre and interoperability, as well as prioritising young aviators.

• Naval Warfare

  Mothership for autonomous minehunters arrives in the UK

  1st February 2023

  A new commercial vessel conversion will support operation of the UK's autonomous minehunting capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Japan approved for more E-2D Hawkeye aircraft

  9th March 2023

  The US has approved a Foreign Military Sale of up to five additional E-2D AEW aircraft, as Japan bolsters its surveillance and monitoring capabilities.

• Training

  Top trends in military training and simulation for 2023

  17th January 2023

  The training and simulation sector had a stimulating 2022, but this year may hold even more exciting technological developments for the industry. Bohemia Interactive Simulations' CPO Pete Morrison gave Shephard some hot topics to watch for 2023.

• Defence Notes

  Elbit ceases UK Dreadnought sub training work; Project Selborne role 'under negotiation'

  24th November 2022

  Elbit Systems UK has stopped work on the Royal Navy's Dreadnought Crew Training programme and its role on Project Selborne is under negotiation with the government.

• Air Warfare

  IDEX 2023: Collins Aerospace partners with Saudi firm on UAS development

  22nd February 2023

  Collins Aerospace will integrate a number of its mission systems and software with SRB Aerial Systems' UAS platforms under a memorandum of understanding that is hoped to evolve into a long-term strategic partnership.

• Training

  Belgium adds VBS sim software for anti-tank guided missile

  22nd December 2022

  Through integration with VBS, Spike missile operators can train more effectively on tactical scenarios developed by the instructors.

• Air Warfare

  Skydweller solar-powered aircraft achieves first autonomous flight

  6th March 2023

  Skydweller Aero's solar-powered solution completed its first fully autonomous flight and is being offered for military intelligence use.

• Training

  New Indian supersonic trainer jet to supplement PC-7 and Hawk fleets

  15th February 2023

  The Indian Air Force has abandoned plans to acquire a two-seat trainer variant of the Tejas Mk 1 Light Combat Aircraft, opting instead for the HAL HLFT-42 supersonic jet.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Enhanced autopilots pave way to autonomy for US multi-engine jets

  27th February 2023

  The USAF has commissioned a year-long autonomy study by Reliable Robotics for large jet aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore at-sea deployment of F-35Bs can overcome airfield dependency

  22nd March 2023

  Singapore could potentially deploy F-35Bs from its Joint Multi-Mission Ship to overcome airfield dependency and improve air defence as part of its apparent new security strategy.

• Land Warfare

  GM Defense charts course for electric future at IDEX 2023

  24th February 2023

  GM Defense forged closer ties with the UAE at the Emirati defence show and touted its electric vehicle capabilities.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2022: MVRsimulation joint fires trainer makes accreditation progress

  1st December 2022

  MVRsimulation's mixed reality (MR) system is designed to provide a quick-deployment capability for joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) and forward observers.

• Training

  US and Israel demonstrate ties with latest bilateral exercise

  27th January 2023

  During Juniper Oak 23, Israel and the US will practice command and control and other essential operations with interoperability at the heart of the exercise.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Maritime patrol

  Long Range Patrol Aircraft [The Philippines]

  Programme Background On 10 July 2023, Elbit Systems announced that it had secured a contract for two long-range patrol aircraft. Although the customer was not ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Thor [Israel]

  Background Various Contracts On 3 December 2024, the Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced it had purchased “advanced drones and autonomous systems” from Elbit Systems in various ...

• Trainer

  M-346 [Greece]

  Programme Background In April 2021, Elbit Systems was awarded a $1.65 billion contract to set up Hellenic Air Force International Flight Training Centre. The deal includes ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Kenya]

  Programme Background Training On 23 August 2024, Baykar posted on social media that trainees from Kenya had completed their Bayraktar TB2 training at the Baykar Flight ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Hermes 900 (Uganda)

  Programme Background In September 2018, The East African reported that Uganda had received 24 Hermes 900 platforms from Elbit Systems. Evidence of the platform being ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project [UK]

  Programme Background Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project The British Army launched the RAS project to provide the "direction required to exploit emerging technologies to ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Magni-X [Albania]

  Background Larger Deal In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania announced that Elbit Systems would supply Albania with various military ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Thor [Albania]

  Background Larger Deal In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania announced that Elbit Systems would supply Albania with various military ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Watchkeeper X (Contracted) [Romania]

  Programme Background 2021 In mid-2021, the Romanian manufacturer Aerostar signed a collaboration with U-TacS to potentially produce the Watchkeeper X in Romania. U-TacS is a ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Magni-X (1-350) [Austria]

  Background Contract Various outlets reported in mid-2025 that the Austrian Armed Forces had acquired 315 Magni-X UAVs from Elbit Systems. The contract was concluded with the German branch of ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Watchkeeper X (Uncontracted) [Romania]

  Programme Background 2021 In mid-2021, the Romanian manufacturer Aerostar signed a collaboration with U-TacS to potentially produce the Watchkeeper X in Romania. U-TacS is a ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Matrice 300 (Ukraine)

  Programme Background On 11 December 2021, Ukrainian media reported that the Administration of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine had acquired  60 Matrice 300 rotary-wing ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Hermes 900 [Thailand]

  Programme Background Requirement The Naval Acquisition Management Office (NAMO) of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) announced its intention to acquire one MALE UAV system comprising three ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  IAR-99 Replacement (Romania)

  On 29 August 2017, Leonardo announced that the IAR-99 trainer technology demonstrator (TD) will be fitted with company's Vixen 500E AESA radar. The Vixen 500E AESA ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  MD 530F -Kenya

  Crew transition training took place at the MD Helicopters headquarters in Mesa, Arizona, with field service support, armament, and gunnery training scheduled to occur at ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air combat Training Centers

  Training centres and networked simulation devices for collective training in a realistic operational context at various levels (squadron, distant, joint, coalition) – Rafale Simulation Center, ...

• Air: UAV simulators

  UAV Simulators

  Elbit Systems has developed simulation systems to train personnel in UAV operation, from generic UAV training for initial screening procedures up to full mission, high-fidelity ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Air Combat Training

  Boeing has experience in delivering training for fixed-wing air combat platforms including F-15C/E, F-16, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, F-22 and MV/CV-22.

• Air: air combat simulators

  USAF F-16 Training System

  L3Harris Technologies is supporting approximately 180 F-16 pilot and maintenance trainers as part of the USAF’s F-16 Training System. Programme contract options extend through 2019. ...

• Air: Displays

  F-16 Center Pedestal Display

  Produced by Elbit Systems of America, the F-16 Center Pedestal Display (CPD) provides a high-resolution colour display that replaces several legacy instruments on F-16 aircraft. 

• Land: C2 simulators

  BGSC

  The Battle Group Simulation Center (BGSC) is a commander’s open training tool for doctrine and tactics. BGSC uses AI-based, adaptive-behaviour CGF. Applications include: conventional and ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  SkyBreaker

  Elbit Systems' SkyBreaker is an airborne Mission Training Centre that enables networked training between various trainees and platforms, including a range of air force platforms. ...

• Land: air defence simulators

  Live Training System for Air Defence

  Elbit Systems' Live Training System for Air Defence is integrated on various short- and medium-range air defence systems. The Live Training System provides networked and ...

• Air: mission management systems

  Naval Command Center

  The Elbit Systems Naval Command Center (NCC) provides the infrastructure, systems and functionality required to achieve maritime domain awareness in conjunction with applicable means, evaluating ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  VMTS

  Elbit Systems' Virtual Mission Training System (VMTS) provides realistic training at a reduced cost in a fighter-like environment, claims the company. Using a data link, ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  Instrumented Ground Combat Training Systems

  Cubic supplies combat training systems for CTCs, homestations and forward-deployed environments. The systems are designed to support missions including force-on-force, urban operations, joint, combined arms ...

• 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 ...

• Major networking projects

  DAP

  Israel’s Digital Army Program (DAP) offers interoperability of tri-service (air, land, sea) platforms and sensors for force-wide collaboration. The system is implemented in the IDF ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-72A/B Lakota

  In 2006, the US Army selected a version of the medium-sized, twin-engine H145, designated the UH-72A Lakota,  to meet its requirement for a new Light ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Magni-X

  Magni-X is a mini rotary-wing UAV from Elbit Systems. The aircraft was first unveiled in 2019 and was designed specifically for Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) operations ...