• Defence Helicopter

  US Army bullish about Lakota order

  15th January 2018

  The US Army wasted little time taking the next step in buying 35 new UH-72 Lakota aircraft from Airbus Helicopters last week, and says it …

• Digital Battlespace

  Oman requests software upgrades for F-16s

  9th January 2018

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of electronic warfare and communications equipment for Oman's F-16 fleet, the …

• Training

  Qatar boosts Hawk trainer purchase

  17th January 2018

  Qatar intends to increase its purchase of Hawk training aircraft from BAE Systems, the country's defence minister has announced. Speaking at the Royal United Services …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army pushes forward with Lakota

  10th January 2018

  The US Army is progressing with plans to buy up to 35 new Airbus UH-72A Lakota aircraft for pilot training.  The move comes after legal …

• Defence Notes

  Qatar diversifies defence procurements amid GCC spat

  18th January 2018

  Qatar's ongoing diplomatic split from the Gulf Cooperation Council is pushing it to seek new defence suppliers, with the Gulf country now forging closer relations …

• Naval Warfare

  Russia’s Vympel to deliver missile boats to Vietnam Coast Guard

  10th January 2018

  Russian shipyard Vympel is currently in negotiation with Vietnam for the delivery of four 12418 Molniya class missile boats for the Vietnamese Coast Guard, according …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Navy seeks Vindicator II targets

  9th January 2018

  The US Navy is looking to acquire the Vindicator II target solution from Qinetiq Target Systems Canada as part of a sole source procurement. The …

• Digital Battlespace

  Japan considers EW aircraft and greater offensive capabilities

  2nd January 2018

  Japan’s MoD is considering the acquisition of electronic warfare (EW) aircraft to blunt enemy air defences and command networks, with several jets to be procured …

• Naval Warfare

  Surface Navy 2018: Foreign-held US debt strengthening potential rivals

  10th January 2018

  Foreign governments are using US debts to enhance their own defence capabilities, according to USCG commandant ADM Paul Zukunft, speaking at the Surface Navy Association …

• Military Logistics

  A400M in complex AAR exercise

  29th December 2017

  An A400M has successfully refuelled six F-18 fighters in a single mission, Airbus Defence and Space announced on 21 December.The Spanish Air Force F-18 fighters …

• Defence Notes

  Analysis: US Navy must face Chinese ambitions

  8th January 2018

  A new US Congressional Research Service (CRS) report lays out the groundwork needed for the US Navy (USN) to face China’s growing naval power in …

• Defence Notes

  Doubt cast over UK MoD efficiencies

  18th December 2017

  The UK Defence Committee has expressed its lack of confidence in the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) ability to realise extensive efficiency targets essential for the …

• Training

  Link T&S wins F/A-18 sim upgrades

  19th December 2017

  L3 Technologies Link Training & Simulation has received two contracts for F/A-18 simulator upgrades for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) CF-18 and the devices …

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing to upgrade RNLAF Chinooks

  19th December 2017

  Boeing will upgrade six Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) Chinook helicopters to the F-model configuration under an agreement with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the company …

• Defence Helicopter

  Japan V-22 deliveries rescheduled

  13th December 2017

  The Japanese government - the first export customer of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey - will receive five of the aircraft when deliveries take place from …

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 ...