• Defence Notes

  ADEX 2013: BAE Systems expects KF-16 upgrade contract by year end

  30th October 2013

  BAE Systems provided further details of its planned upgrade of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) KF-16C/D fleet at ADEX 2013, revealing that it …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Europe reignites UCAV development efforts

  29th October 2013

  Following lulls in the development of Europe’s two flagship UCAV programmes, flight testing has restarted for Neuron while Taranis is believed to have finally completed …

• Defence Helicopter

  ADEX 2013: Rafael continues to pursue South Korean opportunities

  29th October 2013

  Rafael has been contracted by South Korea to integrate the Spike NLOS missile on its new AW159 maritime helicopters. South Korea became one of the …

• Military Logistics

  Fourth C-17 Globemaster III delivered to India

  28th October 2013

  Boeing has delivered the fourth C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), keeping the company on schedule to deliver a total of …

• Digital Battlespace

  JSOW C-1 networked with US Navy E-2D aircraft

  28th October 2013

  The newest version of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 has been networked with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft as part of the US Navy’s …

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2013: New weapon stations showcased

  23rd October 2013

  Two Kongsberg remote weapon stations (RWS) in new vehicle and weapon applications are on display for the first time at the AUSA exhibition in Washington …

• Digital Battlespace

  AUSA 2013: MBDA advances SPEAR

  22nd October 2013

  MBDA Missile Systems expects to conduct platform integration trials of its SPEAR network-enabled precision surface attack air-to-ground missile (ATGM) late next year.  The company is …

• Defence Notes

  UAE seeks $4 billion munitions for F-16 fleet

  16th October 2013

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested munitions and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support from the US government under a possible foreign military …

• Defence Notes

  Norway plans to increase defence budget

  16th October 2013

  The Norwegian government remains committed to the ongoing modernisation of its armed forces and has proposed $7.2 billion (NOK43,008 billion) for its 2014 defence budget.  …

• Military Logistics

  Pratt & Whitney announces Norway F-16 engine support contract

  14th October 2013

  Pratt & Whitney will support the Royal Norwegian Air Force's F100-PW-220E engine fleet under a contract between the company and the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation …

• Defence Notes

  RFP released for Kiribati maritime safety vessel

  11th October 2013

  New Zealand has released a Request For Proposals (RFP) for a new maritime safety vessel for Kiribati. The RFP describes proposals for an ocean-going boat …

• Military Logistics

  Afghans receive two C-130s

  10th October 2013

  The Afghanistan Air Force (AAF) has taken delivery of two C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from US armed forces  during a ceremony at Kabul International Airport …

• Defence Notes

  MBDA makes Australia hub of Asia Pacific growth

  9th October 2013

  MBDA has opened an office in Canberra, making Australia the centre of its targeted growth in the Asia Pacific region.  The company is looking at …

• Military Logistics

  Dutch choose Airborne Systems delivery system

  9th October 2013

  The Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has selected Airborne Systems to deliver Firefly and Microfly guided precision aerial delivery systems to Dutch SOF units. Airborne …

• Defence Helicopter

  Indonesian helicopter issues denied by Eurocopter

  9th October 2013

  Technical issues have grounded much of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) Puma/Super Puma fleet in recent months, it has emerged. TNI-AU sources told Shephard that electrical …

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 ...