• Air Warfare

  European firms express interest in filling NATO airborne early warning replacement needs

  19th November 2025

  The comments from both Saab and Airbus on their potential to fulfil the airborne early warning and control requirement come after NATO countries shelved plans to procure six E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Embraer and Denel to explore working on C-390 Millennium

  7th April 2025

  The South African aerospace and defence company has signed an MoU with Embraer to collaborate on manufacturing the aircraft as well as MRO work for the C-390 Millennium.

• Air Warfare

  L3Harris selected for South Korea’s airborne early warning programme

  1st October 2025

  L3Harris’ offer of its “Phoenix” aircraft won over Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft for the second phase of South Korea’s early warning requirement.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow: Red Cat ramps up portfolio development amid “key” APAC opportunities

  5th February 2026

  In the wake of its 1,842% year-on-year revenue increase in Q4 2025, Red Cat sees mass opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region as the company eyes an ongoing production increase and market growth.

• Air Warfare

  Middle East UAV market underscored by $17bn in unsigned deals

  25th February 2026

  While several UAV programmes remain unawarded in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is forecast to be the biggest spender with its potential MQ-9B and Gambit deals overshadowing others in the region.

• Air Warfare

  US approves possible C-17 Globemaster III sustainment support sale to UK

  27th August 2025

  The potential sustainment contract will help support the Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet, amid renewed interest from countries in the heavy-lift strategic aircraft.

• Defence Notes

  US forces’ heads lay out their needs and requirements before Senate committees

  22nd May 2025

  The new US administration has introduced or outlined plans for substantial change across the Department of Defence (DoD) and its branches. Several branch heads faced up to Senate Committees to outline needs and challenges.

• Air Warfare

  Anduril awarded latest OPF-L contract with around $155.2 million still up for grabs

  20th January 2026

  As the US Marine Corps continues to push loitering munitions as a core battlefield tool, Shephard looks at how the latest contract award factors into future potential purchases.

• Naval Warfare

  US Coast Guard prepares acquisition process of up to seven light icebreakers

  23rd March 2026

  The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.

• Air Warfare

  Russian fighter jet exportability threatened by sanctions, says think tank

  13th November 2025

  The think tank realised its report just days before the Dubai Airshow, where the Su-57E Russian fighter jet and Yak-130M trainer and light attack aircraft will make their Middle Eastern debuts.

• Air Warfare

  Embraer bets on US manufacture C-390 Millennium as incentive to lower US tariffs

  5th August 2025

  While Embraer’s Q2 results were not affected by US tariffs and it managed to avoid US President Donald J Trump's additional 40% tariff rate on Brazil, the 10% tariff rate still remains.

• Naval Warfare

  US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months

  15th January 2026

  The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.

• Air Warfare

  Advances in HALE/MALE systems prove the sky is not the limit for drones

  10th October 2025

  Drone systems are multiplying at high altitudes as designers turn out new components and subsystems that let units operate there.

• Defence Notes

  Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat

  20th March 2026

  Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.

• Air Warfare

  AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract

  14th October 2025

  Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-2 (Japan)

  Programme BackgroundKawasaki Heavy Industries developed the C-2 for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to replace its Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules fleets. ...

• Transport

  C-130J - USAF

  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

  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-130 Replacement [Chile]

  Programme Background One potential answer was the KC-390, for which it signed a letter of intent for six, but which now appears not to be ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  Programme Background Requirement South Africa’s current C-130BZ fleet has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain, being amongst the oldest C-130 aircraft still operational. Despite a 2023 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Programme Background Requirements Sweden has five C-130H aircraft (designated Tp-84) and one KC-130H. Two C-130Es bought in the 1960s have retired, but the six H ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M [Indonesia]

  Programme Background The TNI-AU currently relies on 17 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and L-100-30 aircraft, including five C-130Hs transferred from Australia. Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130 Hercules Replacement [Greece]

  As part of the Long Defence Procurement Program covering 2025-2036, Greece has identified Embraer's C-390 transport aircraft as a possible replacement for the C-130 Hercules. The ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130 Hercules Replacement [Greece]

  As part of the Long Defence Procurement Program covering 2025-2036, Greece has identified Embraer's C-390 transport aircraft as a possible replacement for the C-130 Hercules. The ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130 Hercules Replacement [Greece]

  As part of the Long Defence Procurement Program covering 2025-2036, Greece has identified Embraer's C-390 transport aircraft as a possible replacement for the C-130 Hercules. The ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Forecast [Indonesia]

  Programme Background The TNI-AU currently relies on 17 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and L-100-30 aircraft, including five C-130Hs transferred from Australia. Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is ...

• 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

  C-37A - USAF

  Programme Background The USAF was using C-20B transport aircraft, variant of civilian Gulfstream III, to provide worldwide airlift for DoD and government officials. With the ...

• Transport

  Strategic Airlift Capability [Mexico]

  Programme Background Requirement The Mexican Air Force's transport capability is provided by the country's 302nd (C-130 Hercules) and 502nd (Boeing 737-200) squadrons. Previously, it also operated Boeing ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130 Tampa Training Center

  CAE owns and operates a training centre in Tampa, Florida, for operators of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft. CAE’s C-130 Tampa Training Center offers ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130 ATS

  The Lockheed Martin C-130 Aircrew Training System (ATS) provides academic and simulation training for C-130 weapons system aircrews and maintenance personnel. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, ...

• 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 ...

• EO/IR systems

  Orca 130

  According to the manufacturer, Threod Systems, the Orca 130 is a non-ITAR, four-sensor gyro-stabilised payload for ISR missions. The Orca 130 is the standard payload for the ...

• 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 ...

• Trailers

  MTVR Cargo Trailer

  The MTVR Cargo Trailer was developed for use with the USMC's Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR), produced by Oshkosh Defense. It is built for rugged ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Cockpit 9000

  Produced by CMC Electronics, the Cockpit 9000 is an integrated avionics solution primarily integrated into C-130 aircraft. According to the manufacturer, over 100 C-130s are ...

• Transport

  C-130 Hercules

  The C-130E/H Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It first entered service in 1962. According to Lockheed Martin, 1,693 C-130E and C-130H models ...

• Transport

  C-2

  Kawasaki Heavy Industries developed the C-2 for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to replace its Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules fleets. The ...

• 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 ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AE 2100

  The Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engine is a widely used military powerplant that can be found on Lockheed Martin C-130 variants (AE 2100D3), Leonardo C-27J ...

• Launchers

  Hercules AH-01

  The Hercules AH-01 high-pressure pneumatic launcher is designed to launch UAVs of up to 500kg MTOW. It is air-transportable in C-130, A400M, or other similar ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Flyer 72/GMV 1.1

  The Flyer 72 Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV) was developed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), in partnership with Flyer Defense, to meet ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AE 2100D3

  The AE2100 engine, a derivative of the T406 turboshaft family of engines, is designed by Rolls-Royce to power high-speed transport aircraft. The AE2100D3 variant was ...

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

  X-61A Gremlin

  Dynetics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leidos, is developing the X-61A Gremlin. This low-cost swarming drone can be outfitted with different payloads, launched by a mothership, recovered ...