• Special Operations

  ​SOFINS: Counter terror UAVs on display

  2nd April 2017

  French company CM Drones showcased two specialist UAVs designed specifically for counter-terror operations at the SOFINS exhibition, near Bordeaux from 28-30 March.The company promoted its …

• Training

  Leonardo plans T-100 production centre in Alabama

  31st March 2017

  Leonardo DRS will produce the T-100 jet trainer at a new aircraft manufacturing facility in Tuskegee, Alabama, if it is successful in its bid for …

• Digital Battlespace

  Astro to deliver L-band mesh reflectors

  31st March 2017

  Airbus Defence and Space has selected Northrop Grumman company Astro Aerospace to provide L-band mesh reflectors for two Inmarsat 6 satellites, the company announced on …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Neva Aerospace introduces Vlinder concept

  31st March 2017

  Neva Aerospace has introduced a new heavy-duty aerial robotic platform (ARP) concept called Vlinder.The company is developing the technology to meet the needs of industrial …

• Training

  Simulator preps for F-35-QEC operations

  31st March 2017

  BAE Systems' flight engineering simulator is set to begin training for F-35 Lightning II pilots preparing for flight trials on the UK's incoming Queen Elizabeth …

• Special Operations

  SOFINS: French company pitches UAV hive concept

  31st March 2017

  French start-up company Drone Hive is showcasing a new concept for unmanned air vehicles (UAV) operations at the SOFINS exhibition.As one of the company's executives …

• Special Operations

  SOFINS: New marine assault suit makes a splash

  31st March 2017

  The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded Mustang Survival a $7 million contract for its Maritime Assault Suit System (MASS) programme, service officials have …

• Defence Helicopter

  Helisota, Cobham enter partnership

  31st March 2017

  Helisota has signed a partnership deal with UK-based Cobham Helicopter Academy to develop and provide joint training programmes for helicopter maintenance personnel and other specialists, …

• Digital Battlespace

  Elbit wins Asia-Pacific ISTAR contract

  31st March 2017

  Elbit Systems will supply its Condor 2 electro-optic (EO) airborne system to an unnamed customer in the Asia-Pacific region. The company announced the four-year $82 …

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall gets mine clearing system order

  31st March 2017

  Rheinmetall Denel Munition has announced several contracts from an unnamed international customer for mine clearing equipment and ammunition. The contracts are estimated to value more …

• Naval Warfare

  Australia releases frigate RfT

  31st March 2017

  Australia released its awaited RfT for nine Future Frigates on the last day of March, a competition that will be worth $26.8 billion for one …

• Special Operations

  Interview: Pentagon revamps USSOCOM support

  30th March 2017

  Tom Palmer, liaison officer in the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), speaks exclusively to Shephard about the agency's role in providing support to the special operations …

• Digital Battlespace

  ​Opgal unveils new image processor

  30th March 2017

  Opgal Optronic Industries has introduced a new image processor designed to significantly improve the clarity of thermal images, the company announced on 29 March.Opgal Eye-Q …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Rolls-Royce, TCOMS sign MoU

  30th March 2017

  Rolls-Royce has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), as part of its work to develop smart …

• Special Operations

  SOFINS: French GIGN gets new rifle

  30th March 2017

  The French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) has ordered a new standard issue weapon.It has selected the Bren 2 assault rifle from Czech company CZ. …

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 ...