• Defence Notes

  Dubai Airshow 2017: Russian Aircraft Corporation prospecting for MiG 35 interest (video)

  21st November 2017

  With dozens of regional and international customers already operating platforms such as the MiG-29, Russian Aircraft Corporation is hopeful that the newly developed MiG-35 will …

• Defence Notes

  ADECS 2018: What to expect (video)

  29th January 2018

  Clarion Defence and Security's Simon Williams runs through what to expect from this week's ADECS 2018 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Williams comments on …

• Defence Notes

  Opinion: UK defence must choose which cut will be deepest

  1st February 2018

  The worst kept secret in Whitehall has recently been publicly confirmed in the House of Commons by Gavin Williamson, namely the intention to split off …

• Digital Battlespace

  Japan makes decisions on Aegis Ashore deployment

  19th November 2017

  Japan’s MoD has decided to allocate two Aegis Ashore facilities armed with SM-3 Block IIA missiles to the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF), and to …

• Special Operations

  US Air Force looks for help with personnel recovery

  16th November 2017

  The successful recovery of downed flight crews is a critical mission that covers both conventional and special operations forces across the entire spectrum of conflict. Against …

• Defence Notes

  ADECS 2018: Show highlights (video)

  31st January 2018

  Simon Williams speaks with Shephard about ADECS 2018 show highlights and looking forward to next year's event.

• Defence Helicopter

  HMAS Hobart in MH-60R handling trial

  23rd November 2017

  The Royal Australian Navy has conducted a deck handling trial of the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter aboard the guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart, the navy announced …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Esterline to showcase new products

  25th November 2017

  I/ITSEC 2017 will see Esterline Simulation Visual Systems (SVS) launch its new five-channel TD-550 deployable dome display system and the NOCTIS edge-blending solution in a …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Milipol Paris 2017: Novadem unveils new NX70 drone variants

  22nd November 2017

  French UAV manufacturer Novadem unveiled three new variants of its NX70 micro drone, the NXWIRE, NXDROP and NXLIGHT, at the Milipol Paris internal security exhibition. The …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: US Army looks to avoid the tyranny of training

  28th November 2017

  The US Army wants to escape the ‘tyranny of training’ as it continues to look for multi-domain and home based training solutions that are viewed …

• Land Warfare

  Russian unit rearmed with S-400 SAM

  15th November 2017

  An air defence missile unit of the Russian armed forces’ Eastern Military District (MD) Air and Air Defence Army located in the Primorsky Krai has …

• Military Logistics

  Northrop Grumman to sustain ADF C-27J

  17th November 2017

  Northrop Grumman has been awarded a through life support (TLS) contract for the Royal Australian Air Force's C-27J Spartan airlift fleet, the company announced on …

• Digital Battlespace

  Japan’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye takes off

  17th November 2017

  Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first flight of Japan’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft at the company’s Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in Florida. The …

• Land Warfare

  US Army to decide on Bradley upgunning

  26th January 2018

  US Army leadership is exploring ways to expand its lethality initiative with top-level discussions taking place about upgunning the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, as well as …

• Defence Helicopter

  CSRA to modernise H-60 Seahawks

  21st November 2017

  CSRA has received a $38.5 million task order from the US Navy to update various models of the H-60 Seahawk helicopter, 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 ...