• Air Warfare

  Japan receives its first KC-46A

  1st November 2021

  The Japan Air Self-Defense Force becomes the first non-US recipient of the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Dutch-Brazilian MoU may explore automated maintenance for KC-390

  24th November 2021

  Input from NLR in the Netherlands would assist military aircraft research from Embraer.

• Defence Notes

  Spotlight on Dubai Airshow 2021 and global second-hand armoured vehicles market (Podcast)

  19th November 2021

  Welcome to Episode 46 of the third series of The Weekly Defence Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more.

• Air Warfare

  Production begins of first KC-390 destined for Hungary

  11th November 2021

  The first of two KC-390s for Hungary is scheduled for delivery in 2024.

• Defence Notes

  Solomons wisdom needed for security response to unrest

  8th December 2021

  Four countries have sent troops and/or police to the Solomon Islands in Melanesia after an outbreak of civil unrest.

• Land Warfare

  Vietnam reveals indigenous truck-mounted howitzer

  9th November 2021

  Wherever possible, Vietnam attempts to produce equipment domestically. This often involves repurposing existing equipment, as is the case with its new truck-mounted howitzer.

• Naval Warfare

  BAE awarded USN carrier landing system sustainment contract

  5th October 2021

  The AN/SPN-46 Automatic Carrier Landing System enables pilots to make a 'hands-off' landing in severe sea states and weather conditions.

• Training

  IFTS gains traction as Japan joins the club

  27th October 2021

  Japan has become the third nation to join Leonardo's International Flight Training School after the Qatari and German air forces.

• Air Warfare

  USAF upgrades first Turkish KC-135

  15th September 2021

  A second Turkish KC-135 is currently undergoing the new modification, with the remaining fleet expected to receive the update no later than 2023.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia to procure new and second-hand ground vehicles

  27th October 2021

  Tallinn's 2022 defence budget includes requirements for armoured and logistics vehicles as well as self-propelled howitzers. Calls for tenders will be announced in the next month.

• Defence Notes

  Estonian 2022 defence budget will be its biggest ever

  9th October 2021

  Defence expenditure in Estonia will reach €748 million ($865.45 million) in 2022, accounting for 2.31% of predicted GDP and marking a €103 million year-on-year increase.

• Air Warfare

  Japan’s first KC-46A completes test refuelling flight

  19th August 2021

  The first KC-46A for a non-US customer gives and receives fuel with another KC-46A.

• Defence Notes

  Brazilian defence industry sees exports reach all-time high

  20th September 2021

  Brazil exported military equipment and system worth $1.35 billion in the first eight months of 2021, and the South American country expects overseas sales to reach $2 billion by the end of the year.

• Naval Warfare

  Now or never for Australia (Analysis)

  15th October 2021

  As the ramifications of AUKUS begin to become clearer, Australia must grapple with various practical, technological and economic factors if it is to achieve its ambitions.

• Air Warfare

  France and Germany will operate binational C-130J squadron

  2nd September 2021

  The ministers of defence of Germany and France signed an agreement to create a binational squadron and a training centre in the Évreux Air Base. IOC is expected to be achieved in late 2021 with FOC to follow in 2024.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (USA)

  Programme Background The first four Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) KC-46A aircraft were delivered to McConnell AFB in Kansas in January 2019. As of December 2020, a ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• 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 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Hornet XR (Ukraine Aid) [Germany]

  Programme Background 46 Drones In February 2025, the Bundesregierung announced that 46 Hornet XR drones had been sent to Ukraine. The drones were provided from ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  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 FMS ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 [Argentina]

  Programme 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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-135 [Argentina]

  Argentina has reportedly formally requested two KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, according to an interview given by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on 1 September ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Pegasus

  In February 2011, Boeing received a USAF contract to build 179 KC-46A tankers, developed from the KC-767A. The first phase of the USAF's tanker recapitalisation ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 Stratotanker

  The KC-135 entered service in 1957 with the USAF, which plans to keep the type flying beyond 2040 when it will be replaced by the ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-46A ATS

  FlightSafety supports the USAF aircrew training program for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. The program delivers a multi-faceted training package to the USAF from design, ...

• Subsystems: visual

  VITAL 1100

  FlightSafety’s VITAL 1100 visual system provides pilots with simulator training that features realistic, detailed, high-resolution views designed to enhance safety. VITAL 1100 is combined with ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers, EW test systems

  Model 527

  The Model 527 radar signal simulator is used for end-of-runway and walk-around radiated RWR testing to verify the operational status of the aircraft and its ...

• Air: chaff/flare/decoy systems

  Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore IRCM flares

  Chemring Countermeasures develops and manufactures the Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore range of airborne IR flares that are compatible with most available dispensers on a variety ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-10 Extender

  The KC-10 Extender is a tanker/transport aircraft developed for the USAF by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). It was derived from the company’s three-engine ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS

  AN/AAR-47B(V)2

  The AN/AAR-47B Missile Warning System (MWS) is an EW system designed to protect low/slow-flying aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The MWS will detect a ...

• 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 ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF KC-135 ATS

  The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrades training for USAF KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, co-pilots and boom operators. ...

• Towed guns

  M-46

  The M-46 130mm field gun was developed to meet a Soviet Army artillery requirement developed in 1946 and it entered production in 1951. The M-46, ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-10A Training

  FlightSafety supports USAF Air Mobility Command with 4,000-6,000 initial, upgrade and recurrent training events each year for KC-10 pilots, boom operators and flight engineers. It ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  MK 46 Mod 5A (SW)

  The MK 46 Mod 5A (SW) is the latest model of the MK 46 family, used by 25 countries, in service with the USN and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USMC KC-130J Training Devices

  CAE delivered a KC-130J cockpit avionics part-task trainer to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. The device is used for classroom training of ground maintenance personnel ...

• Air: Displays

  MFD-2912

  The MFD-2912 is a multi-function display which provides colour graphics at SXGA+ resolution. Produced by Collins Aerospace, they are used on KC-135 Block 45 and E-2C aircraft.