• Military Logistics

  PLA uses open bidding for military procurements for first time

  2nd April 2015

  The PLA Daily carried a story on 19 March 2015 announcing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had conducted open bidding – its first known occurrence …

• Defence Notes

  Kaman to continue JPF contract with USAF

  31st March 2015

  Kaman's Aerospace segment has been awarded a contract modification for the continued procurement of Joint Programmable Fuzes (JPF) for the US Air Force (USAF). Announced …

• Naval Warfare

  French-UK mine countermeasure contract awarded

  31st March 2015

  Thales and BAE Systems, along with partners ECA Group, ASV, Wood & Douglas and SAAB, have won the French-UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) contract, …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan inducts largest warship since WWII

  30th March 2015

  Japan formally received JS Izumo, its largest new warship since the end of World War Two, at the IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama on …

• Land Warfare

  Operation Atlantic Resolve to train Polish Army

  27th March 2015

  For around three months, the US Army will train Polish Army troops under Operation Atlantic Resolve, as announced by the US Department of Defense on …

• Naval Warfare

  W.Africa distracted from piracy

  27th March 2015

  Internal political issues in several West African countries are preventing Governments from addressing piracy threats in the Gulf of Guinea and neighbouring waters. The assistant …

• Defence Helicopter

  LIMA 2015: MD showcases scout helicopter range

  19th March 2015

  Aircraft manufacturer MD Helicopters is exhibiting at LIMA for the first time, asit  pushes its revamped product line-up at the emerging scout/light attack helicopter requirements …

• Naval Warfare

  LIMA 2015: S&T Airborne Systems ready to build on Malaysian success

  19th March 2015

  S&T Airborne Systems, a Swedish company that integrates airborne maritime surveillance solutions, is seeking to build on past successes in the Malaysian market as growing …

• Digital Battlespace

  Textron simulator selected for F-35 EW system testing

  18th March 2015

  The Model 527 Radar Signal Simulator by Textron Systems Electronic Systems has been selected for pre-flight testing of F-35 Lightning II electronic warfare (EW) systems, …

• Military Logistics

  Hesco tests new flood barrier solution

  17th March 2015

  Hesco’s new Jackbox flood barrier has undergone a second round of testing at the Tees Barrage white-water rafting facility, to test the system’s ability to …

• Defence Notes

  LIMA 2015: Indonesia gathers capabilities under one banner

  17th March 2015

  For the first time, Indonesia’s defence industry has gathered its capabilities together under the umbrella of the Indonesia Pavilion at LIMA 2015. The pavilion is …

• Defence Helicopter

  Upgraded RAF Pumas begin Afghan deployment

  13th March 2015

  The Royal Air Force’s upgraded Puma HC Mk2 medium helicopter has achieved initial operating capability (IOC), paving the way for three to be deployed to …

• Defence Helicopter

  LIMA 2015: Malaysia looks at air priorities

  13th March 2015

  As Malaysia is coming to the end of the 10th Malaysian Plan (2011-2015), which outlines government spending, no major procurement is expected to be undertaken …

• Defence Helicopter

  Singapore outlines new helicopter and MRAP plans

  10th March 2015

  The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) plans to replace its Airbus Helicopters AS332/532 aircraft and Textron Marine & Land Systems V-200 4x4 armoured vehicles, it has …

• Digital Battlespace

  Two Indian consortia to build BMS

  10th March 2015

  In a ground-breaking move, India’s MoD selected two rival consortia to develop a battlefield management system (BMS). The development contract, signed on 25 February under …

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 ...