• Defence Notes

  Franco-German treaty a step toward 'European army': Merkel

  22nd January 2019

  German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that a new Franco-German friendship treaty was a step toward the creation of a future joint European army. Merkel …

• Training

  Two shortlisted for Swiss training contract

  23rd January 2019

  Two companies have been shortlisted for the Swiss Army’s command and staff training requirement with Rheinmetall Electronics offering its Osiris product in a head-to-head with …

• Land Warfare

  Japanese future amphibious vehicle takes shape

  24th January 2019

  The research and design of the Japanese Future Amphibious Vehicle has begun to take shape as the country seeks to shore up defence of remote …

• Naval Warfare

  Fincantieri launches ninth Italian FREMM frigate

  28th January 2019

  Fincantieri has launched the Italian Navy’s newest FREMM frigate, Spartaco Schergat, at the integrated shipyard of Riva Trigoso, Genoa, Italy, the company announced on 26 …

• Defence Helicopter

  V-280 Valor achieves 280kt cruise speed

  30th January 2019

  Bell Helicopter’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor achieved a cruise speed of 280kt on 23 January at the company’s Flight Research Center in Arlington, Texas, following a …

• Military Logistics

  TiER1 to participate in SeaPort-NxG contract

  16th January 2019

  TiER1 Performance Solutions has been named on the US Navy’s SeaPort Next Generation (SeaPort-NxG) multiple-award contract vehicle, the company announced on 14 January. TiER1 is …

• Naval Warfare

  Indra tests Targus critical systems

  15th January 2019

  Indra, with its partner Gaerum, has started simulated flight tests of the Targus optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) to validate the design of the aircraft's critical …

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall, BAE Systems to form UK-based JV

  24th January 2019

  BAE Systems and Rheinmetall have signed an agreement to establish a UK-based joint venture (JV) for military vehicle design, manufacture and support activities, the company …

• Training

  Netherlands to receive CBRN simulator

  28th January 2019

  Following on from its successful teaming with Van Halteren Defence to deliver an Integrated Howitzer Trainer to the Royal Thai Army, Bagira Systems is again …

• Military Logistics

  L3 MAPPS to support Canadian JSS programme

  23rd January 2019

  Seaspan has awarded a contract to L3 MAPPS for work on the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN's) Joint Support Ships (JSS) programme, the company announced on …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Terra Drone Japan, Plimsoll UAV to form JV

  21st January 2019

  Terra Drone Japan and Brazil’s Plimsoll UAV are to establish a joint venture (JV) called Terra Drone Brazil.Terra Drone offers UAS survey and inspection services. …

• Military Logistics

  DynCorp receives rotary wing services contract

  22nd January 2019

  DynCorp International has received a contract to provide rotary wing aircraft maintenance services at the US Air Force’s Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the company …

• Special Operations

  Ukraine SOV assessment

  28th January 2019

  As Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko visited Special Operations Forces on 17th January, details have emerged regarding an uplift in equipment for Ukraine’s Special Operations Command …

• Training

  GDIT receives training contract

  14th January 2019

  General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has received the US Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Force Development contract vehicle, the company announced on 11 January. The …

• Special Operations

  PLA SOF expands counter-terrorism training

  15th January 2019

  The New Year has seen Chinese special operations forces prioritizing counter-terrorism (CT) capabilities with partner nation forces across the Indo-Pacific region. As the People’s Liberation …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-X III Phase II (F-35) [South Korea]

  Programme Background On 14 September 2014, South Korea signed an FMS contract under the first phase of F-X III programme to supply 40 F-35As for ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35B (1-12) [Singapore]

  Programme Background Singapore is renowned as a discerning and demanding customer, so its selection of the F-35 must be seen as a vote of confidence ...

• 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-35I Adir (F-35A) [Israel]

  Programme Background 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 ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  SW4 Puszczyk Replacement [Poland]

  Programme Background  In 2002, Poland order 47 SW4 training helicopters from Italian manufacturer Leonardo; as of Spring 2025, the Ministry of Defence is looking to ...

• 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 ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Future Aircrew Training Program (Helicopter Procurement) - Canada

  Programme Background The FAcT requires to graduate 120 pilots, 40 combat systems officers and 36 airborne electronic sensor operators per year with 15% fluctuation. Training services ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35B [Japan]

  F-35B was selected on 16 August 2019 for Japan's short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) multirole fighter aircraft requirement. Tokyo is planning  ‘partial refurbishment of ...

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

  Sistema RPAS Táctico de Altas Prestaciones (SiRTAP) [Spain]

  Background MoU In 2017, it was announced that Spain was jointly developing a MALE UAV with Colombia to meet the ISR requirement of both armed ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - USAF

  According to the US FY2021 budget document, Turkey's removal from the JSF program and transition to the alternate supply chain sources may challenge to achieve ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (South Korea - Army)

  Programme Background Requirement South Korea operates an ageing fleet of Bell UH-1s and MD 500s for training purposes. The country has already replaced a part of ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (South Korea - Navy)

  Programme Background Requirement South Korea operates an ageing fleet of Bell UH-1s and MD 500s for training purposes. The country has already replaced a part of ...

• Main battle tanks

  Main Battle Tank Upgrade [Australia]

  Programme Background Between 2006 and 2007, the Australian Army received 59 M1A1 AIM SA Abrams MBTs under Project Land 907 Phase 1. These vehicles were planned to ...

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

  Sistema RPAS Táctico de Altas Prestaciones (SiRTAP) [Colombia]

  Background MoU In 2017, it was announced that Spain was jointly developing a MALE UAV with Colombia to meet the ISR requirement of both armed ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [UK]

  Programme Background In July 2016, the UK government announced that it had ordered nine aircraft for service with the RAF. Under this frame, in January ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: C2 simulators

  GESI

  The GESI (Gefechtssimulation System or combat simulation system) is a constructive simulation system designed to run complex and comprehensive joint and combined exercises at tactical ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Distributed and Networked Mission Training

  Airbus D&S; networks training systems to enable joint and distributed mission training across local and national boundaries, generating realistic and needs-oriented scenarios. The solution uses ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  Leopard 2E Simulators

  Indra was prime contractor for the Spanish Army Leopard 2E Tank Simulation Programme, which involved 23 devices across driving, turret and platoon simulators with networking ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  Instrumented Ground Combat Training Systems

  Cubic supplies combat training systems for CTCs, homestations and forward-deployed environments. The systems are designed to support missions including force-on-force, urban operations, joint, combined arms ...

• Sea: tactical training

  UAE NTC

  In 2016, CAE was awarded a contract to design and deliver a comprehensive Naval Training Centre (NTC) to the UAE Navy. The UAE NTC will ...

• Land: C2 simulators

  JLCCTC

  The Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) integrates seven command and battle staff training tools into a simulation-based system. JLCCTC will support US Army, ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  ECOSim - Tactics

  The ECOSim (Enhanced Company Operations Simulation) is a company-level training simulation device that teaches leaders how best to deploy troops, UAVs, convoys and other assets. ...

• Land: battle management systems

  KOCATEPE (TACCIS)

  Aselsan KOCATEPE is a battle management system which provides a software-based solution for headquarters staff at the brigade level and above. According to news sources, it ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  ANTares Joint and Combined Tactical Training

  Rheinmetall’s Advanced Network Trainer (ANTares) is designed to support the military needs for joint and combined training with networked and interoperable land-, air- and sea-based ...

• Major networking projects

  JCSS

  The Joint Communication Simulation System (JCSS) provides communications planners and system analysts with the capability to validate support plans, analyse existing and proposed network architectures ...

• Subsystems: software

  OneSAF

  The One Semi-Automated Force (OneSAF) is an open-source, common constructive simulation platform used by the US Army, joint and international communities as well as non-military ...

• Land: C2 simulators

  Joint Warfare Training Center

  This system provides multi-level simulation of joint forces operations (Air Force, Army and Navy) for training of tactical proficiency of divisions', brigades' and battalions' commanding ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Rafale Simulator

  Thales, Sogitec and Dassault Aviation have together developed two pilot training centres to support the training of Rafale fighter pilots. The Saint-Dizier Rafale simulation centre ...

• Subsystems: software

  Simulation

  From physics-based dynamics and intelligent entity behaviours to tactical and operational missions, Presagis simulation software tools address the rigorous challenges of M&S; applications. Its simulation ...

• Subsystems: visual

  Independence IDX 7000 ER

  The IDX 7000 image generator provides real-time image generation for simulation, training and mission rehearsal applications, with up to four video channels per low-profile 1U ...