• Uncrewed Vehicles

  China tests ‘military’ paragliding UAV

  12th November 2015

  In another innovation in the unmanned field from China, news emerged this week of a paragliding UAV that has recently concluded tests in Tibet. Chinese …

• Defence Notes

  D&S 2015: UK seeks Thai engagement

  12th November 2015

  UK defence companies had a muted presence at the Defence & Security 2015 exhibition in Bangkok, though an official from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) …

• Naval Warfare

  Dubai 2015: Saab, UAE deal improves surveillance

  12th November 2015

  The $1.27 billion contract between defence and security OEM Saab and the UAE will see two new-version Erieye swing role surveillance aircraft delivered and the …

• Defence Helicopter

  Second Mi-171A2 enters flight testing

  12th November 2015

  Russian Helicopters has begun flight testing the second Mi-171A2 helicopter prototype at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, the company announced on 9 November.  In addition to the …

• Training

  QinetiQ commences new RAF training

  12th November 2015

  QinetiQ has started delivering a new training programme for students of the Royal Air Force (RAF) aimed at improving operators’ confidence and lessening the chance …

• Land Warfare

  Finland requests US weapons

  11th November 2015

  Finland has requested Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) M31A1 Unitary and GMLRS M30A1 Alternative Warhead Rockets in pods from the US government under the …

• Military Logistics

  C295W collaboration underway

  11th November 2015

  A new water bomber version of the C295W transport aircraft will be industrialized, supplied and supported under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Airbus Defence and …

• Military Logistics

  US says ‘oui’ to French C-130Js

  11th November 2015

  The French Air Force’s plans to bolster its medium lift capabilities with the addition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft has moved one step closer with …

• Military Logistics

  Iveco wins German trucks contract

  11th November 2015

  Iveco Defence Vehicles will deliver its Trakker trucks to the German military for the army’s protected transport vehicle requirement. The company announced the late October signing of …

• Digital Battlespace

  UAE orders Saab SRSS

  11th November 2015

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to expand and enhance its airborne surveillance capabilities under a contract with Saab for a new airborne Swing Role …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Dubai 2015: 3D printed UAV turns heads

  11th November 2015

  Constructed almost entirely out of 3D printed materials, the Stratasys and Aurora Flight Sciences’ UAV technology demonstrator equally turned and baffled heads. Taking pride of …

• Digital Battlespace

  IAI unveils Terra radar

  11th November 2015

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has introduced a new dual-band radar system for the early-warning, detection and accurate tracking of very long range targets, the company …

• Defence Helicopter

  India’s LCH to receive production go-ahead

  11th November 2015

  India’s indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is set to receive production approval before the end of November, after the project originally commenced in 2006. Having …

• Land Warfare

  Cobham details missile parts order

  11th November 2015

  Cobham has received a series of orders for electronic components for various missile programmes, the company announced on 9 November. The total value of the …

• Military Logistics

  New exoskeleton partnership

  10th November 2015

  A new partnership agreement between B-Temia of Canada and Sagem will see the joint development of a new-generation of exoskeletons for industrial and military applications. …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background A video clip released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) disclosed that a deal to acquire the J-10 from China was signed on 25 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  CV90 [Czech Republic]

  Background The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its "Tracked IFV" programme to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Netherlands]

  Programme Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, ...

• Medium UGVs

  Mission Master (RPV Sprial 2) [UK]

  Background First announced in April 2017 and referred to in early MOD documents as the ‘last mile resupply’ initiative, the British Army is reportedly evaluating ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer IFV (Schakal) [Germany]

  Programme Background The Boxer is currently in service with both Germany and the Netherlands, having entered service in 2009 and 2013, respectively.  In October 2025, ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [India]

  Programme Background India is planning to increase its AEW&C; capabilities with indigenous radar systems.  A330 Bid In 2015, the IAF has requested to procure six ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-S (Second Batch) [Turkey]

  Programme Background First Batch Based on comments by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish media in 2018, Shephard believes that Türkiye acquired 26 Anka-S drones ...

• Main battle tanks

  Viatura Blindada de Combate-Carro de Combate (VBC-CC) [Brazil]

  Programme Background Several key technical requirements have been outlined by the Brazilian MoD. Among the most important are that the platform should weigh less than ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | RangeHawk (RQ-4 Global Hawk) [US]

  Northrop Grumman received a US$325.5 million US Army contract in May 2026 to develop and acquire the RangeHawk HALE UAV, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Medium Range Tactical (MRT) [USMC]

  Background Request for Information (RFI) In February 2026, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued an RFI for solutions for a Medium Range Tactical (MRT) ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Slovenia - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background  Slovenia began its procurement of Oshkosh Defence's JLTV 4x4 armoured vehicle in 2018, although a US government FMS contract was not signed until ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  L-39NG Senegal

  The aircraft will feature five hard-points, two external fuel tanks with 350 lt capacity, Mk 81 and Mk 82 bombs, guided and unguided rockets, single ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  NH90 Special Forces [France]

  Programme Background In French service, advanced H225M Caracals with aerial refuelling capabilities are used by SOF units of the French Air Force (FAF) and French ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9A Reaper [Spain]

  Programme Background First Contract The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft and associated parts, equipment, and logistical ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CRATOS

  The Clip-On Ruggedized Advanced Thermal Optical Sight (CRATOS) is a miniaturised all-in-one thermal weapon sight designed for handheld, clip-on or stand-alone use. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  HuntIR Mk 2

  The HuntIR Mk 2 thermal weapon and reconnaissance sight is designed for clip-on use on mid- and long-range small arms. The standalone weapon sight has ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  XACT th family

  The XACT thermal weapon sight product family includes: the XACT th64 short/medium-range weapon-mounted or handheld sight; the XACT th65 clip-on marksman sight; and the XACT ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  CNVD-T

  The Clip-On Night Vision Device-Thermal (CNVD-T) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight based on the military SU-232/PAS. 

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  UTCx

  The UTCx (Universal Thermal Clip-on) sight is a universal thermal clip-on to existing weapon sights, currently fielded by the US military and supporting long-range sniper ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PAS-13G(V)1 LWTS

  The AN/PAS-13G(V)1 Light Weapon Thermal Sight (LWTS) is a handheld or weapon-mounted thermal sight. The TI capability of the LWTS allows for longwave infrared observation ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TISI-M

  Designed for assault and sharpshooter rifles, SMGs and machine guns, the TISI-M is a lightweight uncooled thermal day and night weapon sight which can be ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  AN/PVS-30

  The AN/PVS-30 is a long-range thermal clip-on sniper night sight. The sight is able to extend the range of engagement by up to 1,000m and ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  Lily-L

  The Lily-L clip-on thermal sight for long-range sniper weapons can be mounted on a Picatinny rail in front of a day scope. It is designed for ...

• Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  MilSight S135 MUNS

  The MilSight S135 Magnum Universal Night Sight (MUNS) AN/PVS-27 is a high-resolution clip-on weapon sight that mounts forward of an existing scope, adding NV capabilities ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  ThermoSight HISS-XLR

  The HISS extended long-range (XLR) clip-on thermal weapon sight allows snipers to detect and recognise man-sized targets at up to 2,000m, offering a 25% increase ...

• Individual grenade launchers

  UBGL

  The single-shot 40mm Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) can be attached to most modern assault weapons using a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system. The breech is swung ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  MUNSTI

  The MUNSTI uncooled thermal imaging clip-on sight is compact and lightweight, designed for use in front of a day optical sight. It is suitable for ...

• Sniper rifles

  Dan.338

  IWI launched the Dan.338, the first of a new family of bolt-action sniper rifles, at the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition. Chambered for .338 Lapua Mag ammunition, ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  TVC 60

  The TVC 60 is a clip-on thermal weapon sight designed to be used in conjunction with a magnified day optic. The shooter relies on the ...