• Training

  CAE USA Mission Solutions acquires AOCE

  3rd August 2018

  CAE USA Mission Solutions has acquired Alpha-Omega Change Engineering (AOCE) to enhance the company’s core capabilities as a training systems integrator, CAE announced on 1 …

• Defence Notes

  Kuwait requests Mk-series munitions from US

  6th August 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale of various Mk- series munitions to Kuwait, the Defense Security Cooperation …

• Defence Notes

  Farnborough 2018: Lockheed Martin steadfast with F-35 plans

  16th July 2018

  Lockheed Martin has a tentative deal with the US Air Force for its next lot of F-35 Lightning II fighters and the company is continuing …

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia to select new tactical vehicle by year end

  6th August 2018

  The Slovakian Ministry of Defence has kicked off a new phase of testing in its search for a new all-terrain tactical vehicle, with the country …

• Defence Notes

  South Sudan's Kiir vows power sharing deal will hold

  3rd August 2018

  South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said on 3 August that he was committed to a power-sharing deal with his arch-rival Riek Machar, vowing it would …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army reveals plans for next Black Hawk procurement

  2nd August 2018

  The US Army Contracting Command has detailed its plans for acquiring ‘up to 510’ UH/HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, with a production contract to be eventually …

• Defence Helicopter

  Legal woes hinder helicopter procurement

  8th August 2018

  Legal disputes concerning helicopter procurement processes dominated the first half of 2018 which then muddied a much broader picture of rotary successes between military operators …

• Defence Notes

  Embraer dives with Q2 loss

  1st August 2018

  Brazil-based Embraer, the world's third biggest aircraft manufacturer, posted losses on 31 July of BRL 467 million ($126 million) for the second quarter of 2018. …

• Defence Notes

  US wants Turkey to buy Patriot missiles

  17th July 2018

  The US is trying to persuade NATO partner Turkey to purchase the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, a US official said 16 July, instead of rival …

• Digital Battlespace

  BAE’s flight controls for UAE’s next-generation F-16s

  24th July 2018

  BAE Systems’ advanced Digital Flight Control Computer (DFDC) has been selected by Lockheed Martin to upgrade the United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) F-16 fleet, the company …

• Military Logistics

  Farnborough 2018: UTC to expand UK F-35 MRO operations

  9th July 2018

  American defence supplier UTC Aerospace Systems is set to expand its F-35 MRO operations at its Wolverhampton base as the fast jet programme begins UK …

• Training

  Farnborough 2018: Industry awaits USAF decision on T-X trainer

  16th July 2018

  Industry is waiting with bated breath for the US Air Force to pick its new Advanced Pilot Trainer (T-X) aircraft. Speaking with Shephard at Farnborough on …

• Land Warfare

  France's DGA orders CompM5 sights

  26th July 2018

  Heckler and Koch, together with its partner Aimpoint, has received a contract to supply red dot sights for the new HK416 F French assault rifle, …

• Military Logistics

  KC-46 completes testing needed for first delivery

  18th July 2018

  Boeing has completed all the required flight testing of the KC-46 tanker for first delivery to the US Air Force, the company announced on 13 …

• Naval Warfare

  A Five Eyes ship on the horizon?

  27th July 2018

  With final proposals submitted for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project, the Lockheed Martin-led Combat Ship Team is bullish about the prospects of another Type …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Denmark]

  Programme Background  Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Turkey]

  Background Programme involvement Turkish involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme began in the early 2000s, with the country's participation beginning in the concept demonstration ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan

  In 2019, Japan requested to be an official partner in the F-35 programme, but this request was rejected by the Pentagon. The F-35 Joint Strike ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Tornado Replacement (F-35A) [Germany]

  Background Requirement In March 2020, it emerged that the German government was considering  30 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to replace 45 nuclear-capable Tornados. The remaining 40 Tornados ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (31-40) [Italy]

  Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, 131 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35 [Morocco]

  Background Acquisition motivation Morocco has been in negotiations with the US since 2020 over the potential acquisition of an F-35 fleet, which would make the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir (1-50) [Israel]

  Background F-35I modifications The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan Follow On

  The F-35 full-rate production is expected to be further delayed following an October 2020 US DoD announcement that postponed the simulation tests, originally planned for 2017 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Fighter Aircraft [United Arab Emirates]

  Bids and suppliers Lockheed MartinOn 10 November 2020, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS of 50 F-35As to UAE ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B [UK]

  Programme Background The total cost of the currently funded programme as reported through the UK Major Projects Report is expected to be £10.5 billion ($13.5 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JAS-39C/D Gripen replacement [Czech Republic]

  Background Requirements The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (1-30) [Italy]

  The 2019 and 2020 budget contained significant funding for the F-35 programme: €690 million ($775 million) in 2019 and €859 million ($962 million) in 2020, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16 Replacement [Portugal]

  Programme Background At the Portuguese National Defense Conference on April 22, 2025, General João Cartaxo Alves reaffirmed that the F-35A remains the sole viable successor ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (1-60) [Italy]

  Background Requirement The total requirement for the first round of funded platforms was 90 F-35 - 30 F-35B and 60 F-35A. The original plan committed ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35I Adir

  The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the F-16 fleet in ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  JSM

  The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multi-role version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the ...

• EO/IR systems

  F-35 Lightning II Advanced EOTS

  The F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is a sensor that combines targeting forward-looking IR (FLIR) and IR search and track (IRST) capabilities for ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F135

  The F135, designed and developed by Pratt & Whitney, is one of the most advanced fighter engines in the world that delivers more than 40,000lb ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35B

  The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The USMC is the main customer for the F-35B, ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  F-35 Gen III HMDS

  The F-35 Gen III helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) is provided by a joint venture between Elbit Systems of America and Rockwell Collins, developed for the F-35 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A

  The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with CTOL capabilities. It is a multinational programme led by the US DoD, bringing together ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  25mm PGU-48/B

  The 25mm PGU-48/B is a medium-calibre armour-penetrating round manufactured by American Rheinmetall. The US Air Force uses the PGU-48/B with its F-35 aircraft.

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-81

  AN/APG-81 is operating in the X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar designed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems for the F-35 “Lightning” all-weather ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35C

  The F-35C Lightning II, also known as the F-35 carrier variant (CV), is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft in carrier configuration. It has larger wings and ...

• Air: Displays

  Panoramic Cockpit Display

  Developed by L3Harris and Elbit Systems America, the Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) is a touchscreen MFD integrated into F-35 aircraft. It provides two electronically divided ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F414-GE-400

  The F414-GE-400 is a turbofan engine manufactured by GE Aviation and has various advanced technology features such as a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC), ...

• Guided munitions

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon to equip F-15, F/A-18 and F-35. It is also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The StormBreaker includes a ...