• Defence Helicopter

  Afghanistan to shift to US-built helicopters

  21st November 2016

  The Afghan Air Force (AAF), under guidance and funding from the US Department of Defense (DoD), will shift from Russian-built helicopters to ones manufactured in …

• Land Warfare

  Thai army invents eucalyptus tank armour

  20th November 2016

  The Royal Thai Army has invented multipurpose armour made from eucalyptus wood for its M60A3 main battle tanks (MBT) to improve their protection against anti-tank …

• Defence Helicopter

  Transition ease is key to H225M win

  19th November 2016

  Singapore’s selection of the Airbus Helicopters H225M could have come down to the fact that it offers a quick and smooth transition for the Republic …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  LDS introduces SpectroDrone

  18th November 2016

  Laser Detect System (LDS) has unveiled a UAS-operated system designed to detect explosives, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other chemical compounds from standoff distances, called …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AeroVironment unveils Quantix UAS

  18th November 2016

  AeroVironment has introduced a new UAS aimed at the commercial market called Quantix, the company announced on 14 November. The system is capable of operator-in-the-loop …

• Naval Warfare

  DHS approves C-27J next phase

  18th November 2016

  The US Coast Guard’s Medium Range Surveillance (MRS) Aircraft programme has reached a new milestone, with the Department of Homeland Security clearing the programme to …

• Defence Notes

  EU baby steps to defence cooperation

  18th November 2016

  The glacial pace of security and defence policy development in the EU edged forwards this week. Plans are afoot to ensure that the EU is …

• Land Warfare

  First Hawkei vehicles handed over to ADF

  18th November 2016

  The first batch of ten Hawkei protected vehicles has now been handed over to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by Thales. The Australian government announced …

• Defence Notes

  Defence companies move pieces around Asian chessboard

  18th November 2016

  For logistical reasons, Northrop Grumman recently decided to consolidate its administrative office in Taipei with its regional office in Singapore.  ‘Our current manager [Antonio Chow] …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan donating large patrol boats to KL

  17th November 2016

  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed on 16 November that his country would donate two decommissioned Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrol boats to Malaysia. The …

• Naval Warfare

  Stan chosen for Jamaica

  17th November 2016

  The Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) has moved to replace its three recently decommissioned County-class patrol vessels with the award to Damen Shipbuilding Group for two …

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell Helicopter signs MoU with IAR-Ghimbav Brasov

  17th November 2016

  A Memorandum of Understanding signed between Bell Helicopter and Romania’s IAR-Ghimbav Brasov Group will see the companies engage on potential collaboration on the AH-1Z Viper …

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop wins OPC C4ISR contract

  17th November 2016

  Eastern Shipbuilding Group has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to design C4ISR and machinery control systems (MCS) for the US Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Autonomous ships on the horizon

  17th November 2016

  Rolls-Royce and Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre have announced a collaboration for the development of remotely piloted and autonomous ships, Rolls-Royce announced on 14 November. …

• Military Logistics

  C-27J to demo in Latin America

  17th November 2016

  Leonardo-Finmeccanica is looking to expand its customer base for the C-27J Spartan in Latin America, with a tour of the continent now underway, the company …

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 ...