• Defence Notes

  Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align

  22nd July 2026

  General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.

• Air Warfare

  With a wave of upgrades, the MQ-9B is ready for high-tech warfare

  1st July 2026

  The modern battlefield is evolving rapidly — threats range from stealthy cruise missiles to coordinated drone swarms. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is meeting these challenges head-on with a series of transformative upgrades to its MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and maritime SeaGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Air forces review: Combat aircraft missile milestones hit as tanker and transport orders climb

  28th May 2026

  As countries look to improve their combat aircraft capabilities, May has highlighted strong demand from European countries for aerial refuelling platforms as industry pushes forward next-generation missile test updates for eventual UK combat aircraft integration.

• Air Warfare

  FIA 2026: Embraer, Anduril sign agreement to develop cruise missile launch capability for the C-390

  23rd July 2026

  The Brazilian airframer and US developer have announced plans to offer a palletised launch system for the twinjet tactical airlifter.

• Air Warfare

  July air forces review: Farnborough steals the headlines as programmes develop

  30th July 2026

  The biannual Farnborough International Airshow 2026 was the backdrop in July for scores of deals, partnerships and announcements, including developments in the multinational next-generation Global Combat Air Programme and the UK’s $486 million trainer aircraft requirement.

• Defence Notes

  US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system

  3rd August 2026

  The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.

• Naval Warfare

  How Canada plans to use the River-class programme to revitalise its defence industry

  17th June 2026

  The Canadian DND estimates that the construction of destroyers will annually inject C$720 million (US$515 million) into the country’s GDP.

• Air Warfare

  USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026

  7th May 2026

  The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.

• Air Warfare

  How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense

  23rd March 2026

  Modern C-UAS solutions must detect threats early, integrate layered sensors, and deliver fast, scalable, adaptable defense against evolving drones.

• Air Warfare

  Sweden confirms order for four C-390 Millennium aircraft

  8th October 2025

  The firm order also included options for seven more aircraft as part of the joint European procurement for the multi-role aircraft, allowing for potential future European acquisitions.

• Land Warfare

  “A staggering rate of change”: how experience combating IEDs is being applied to the C-UAS arena

  10th June 2026

  The scale of the current escalation in drone attacks is fuelling demand for C-UAS technology that must address a rapidly evolving and expanding threat. Against this background, important lessons can be learned from the battle against IEDs, with networked responses and dispersed capabilities essential to deliver enduring protection.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub

  3rd February 2026

  The company disclosed several defence contracts and upgrades for its defence aircraft at the show, including additional Super Tucano orders and a new C-390 Millennium customer, Uzbekistan.

• Air Warfare

  L3Harris begins work on South Korean AEW&C aircraft, eyes further international opportunities

  18th February 2026

  The company remains upbeat about its Indo-Pacific and European prospects, with its AERIS X system onboard a Bombardier 6500 proving an attractive option for air forces’ growing AEW&C needs.

• Air Warfare

  NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy

  8th July 2026

  The joint acquisition of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft by 11 allies marks the end of NATO’s more than four-decade reliance on a US-built airborne early warning platform.

• Land Warfare

  Why cost-effective flexible networks are the key to C-UAS success

  18th May 2026

  The widespread use of drones and loitering munitions in current conflicts has tilted the balance in favour of the attacking force, both operationally and economically. EOS’s Dr Andreas Schwer tackles the question of what kind of C-UAS defences are needed to protect battlefield forces, and even entire countries.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport

  Additional Transport Aircraft [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement The Turkish Air Force (TurAF) operates a transport fleet including CN-235, C-130B/E, and A-400M aircraft. According to media sources, these airframes have ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  HC/MC-130J [USA]

  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 customers ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden intends to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden intends to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden intends to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Transport

  C-130J (Replacement) [Italy]

  Background C-130J history Italy originally procured 20 C-130J aircraft between 2002 and 2005. In March 2022, a US$402.8 million (€380 million) contract for technical support ...

• Transport

  C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  Programme Background Requirement The Egyptian Air Force operates a large number of legacy C-130 aircraft, with approximately 22 C-130Hs and three C-130H-30s remaining in service. These ...

• 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 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  Programme Background The E-6 Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) provides for air vehicle replacement and mission systems modernization to augment and eventually ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirement The Royal Saudi Air Force operates 33 C-130H, 7 KC-130H aircraft and two KC-130Js. The country has been seeking to replace its ...

• Transport

  C-130J-30 [Philippines]

  Programme Background Requirement The PAF relies on an older fleet of C-130s obtained secondhand. In fact, the last time the Philippines purchased brand-new Hercules was ...

• Transport

  C-130J (Secondhand) [Greece]

  Programme Background The decision was prompted by repeated operational failures in the HAF’s C-130 fleet, particularly highlighted during a failed mission to transport a Greek ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF C-130J MATS

  Training for USAF C-130J crews is managed under a programme called C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS). Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Italian Air Force C-130J Total Training System

  CAE’s C-130J Total Training System for the Italian Air Force (AMI) includes an OFT, cockpit avionics part-task trainer (CAPTT), computer-based training, training management information system ...

• Transport

  C-130J Super Hercules

  The C-130J Super Hercules is the latest model of the C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J primarily performs the tactical portion of ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130J MATS

  Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) programme provides a range of training devices and support services including aircrew instruction, operations, contractor logistics ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Indian Air Force C-130J FMS

  CAE has designed and manufactured a C-130J FMS for the Indian Air Force. The device entered service at Hindan Air Base in 2012 and is ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-130J

  The E130J is being developed for the United States Navy as part of the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) project to replace the E-6B ...

• Maritime patrol, Transport

  HC-130H/J

  Based on the C-130H and C-130J transport aircraft, the HC-130H/J are long-range MPAs that also provide SAR and air transport capability. 

• 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: Defensive Systems - MLDS, Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers

  AN/AAR-47A(V)2

  The AN/AAR-47A(V)2 Missile and Laser Warning System (MWS) is an EW aircraft survivability system developed by Northrop Grumman. It is designed to protect low- and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  RAAF Airlift Programme

  The RAAF Airlift Programme required CAE to design, develop and manufacture three full-flight simulators, one each for the C-130J, C-130H and Boeing 707. The 707 ...

• 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 ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  AGM-176 Griffin

  The Griffin A is an aft-eject missile designed for employment from non-conventional platforms such as the C-130. The Griffin B is a forward-firing missile that ...

• Transport

  C-27J Spartan

  The C-27J is a twin-turboprop tactical transport with new-generation technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. Alenia Aermacchi (now Leonardo) and Lockheed Martin began developing an ...

• ISR/special mission

  AC-130J

  The AC-130J 'Ghostrider' is a fifth-generation gunship manufactured by Lockheed Martin to replace the AC-130U/W gunships for the USAF deployed in 2019. The Ghostrider is a highly modified C-130J ...

• Air: surveillance radar

  AN/APN-241

  The AN/APN-241 is a high-resolution tactical transport radar manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It was designed and developed as a baseline radar for the C-130 mission ...