• Defence Helicopter

  Pacific 2017: Australia declares love for Romeo

  5th October 2017

  The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) received its 24th and final Sikorsky MH-60R last September, and the navy has so far operationally deployed five flights at …

• Naval Warfare

  RAN commissions HMAS Hobart

  26th September 2017

  The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has commissioned its first Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), HMAS Hobart, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 23 September. HMAS …

• Defence Notes

  GDA 2017: UAE-Saudi alliance underscores GCC turbulence

  6th December 2017

  The president of the UAE has announced the formation of a new military, economic and political alliance with Saudi Arabia. In the lead up to …

• Training

  Bundeswehr receives driver training trucks

  5th December 2017

  Rheinmetall has transferred the first of 35 driver training trucks to BwFuhrparkService, the fleet service provider for the Bundeswehr, in Oldenburg, Germany, the company announced …

• Naval Warfare

  Polish Navy finally sets sail

  4th December 2017

  After years of negligence and lack of political goodwill the Polish Navy finally seems to be back on track with its modernisation plans. On 28 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ScanEagle aids disaster recovery missions

  4th December 2017

  Insitu's ScanEagle UAS has taken part in disaster recovery and fire suppression missions in California, Oregon and Texas, the company announced on 28 November. Insitu's …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aurora to scale up production under Boeing

  6th October 2017

  The recent acquisition of Aurora Flight Sciences by Boeing is likely to result in the expansion of the company's military projects.  Aurora, a developer and …

• Digital Battlespace

  Analysis: Japanese BMD solutions face challenges

  26th September 2017

  North Korea’s continued cruise missile, intermediate-range ballistic missile and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches – 14 to date in 2017 – have caused Tokyo to …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  SkyOne UAS completes 100km flight

  6th December 2017

  SkyX Systems has successfully completed a data collection flight of 100km with its SkyOne UAS, the company announced on 4 December. The UAS flew an …

• Land Warfare

  Singapore Army unveils soldier load-bearing system

  4th December 2017

  The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) unveiled its next-generation Load-Bearing System (LBS) on 1 December. Soldiers and defence scientists with backgrounds in human factors and anthropology …

• Defence Helicopter

  Patria to support Norwegian Bell 412s

  29th September 2017

  Patria Helicopters has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defense Logistics Organisation (NDLO) for the maintenance of the Norwegian armed forces’ Bell 412 helicopters, the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Cyberhawk completes nuclear inspection

  4th December 2017

  Cyberhawk Innovations has used a UAS to inspect two concrete pressurized water reactor containment domes for American Electric Power (AEP) at the Cook Nuclear Plant …

• Naval Warfare

  Frigates and OPVs parade three by three in Australia

  10th October 2017

  Frigates and OPVs were a major focus at the Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney last week, with each programme – Project Sea 5000 and …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Rheinmetall trucks on with driver training

  6th December 2017

  In early November, Rheinmetall transferred the first of 35 MAN TGX series trucks to the German Armed Forces n Oldenburg for driver training. The contract is …

• Digital Battlespace

  OSI Maritime signs IBNS deal for US Navy

  5th December 2017

  OSI Maritime Systems has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to deliver its Integrated Bridge and Navigation System (IBNS) for the US Navy’s Freedom class …

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 ...