• Digital Battlespace

  SpaceX launches final ten satellites for Iridium

  11th January 2019

  SpaceX on Friday blasted off a payload of global communications satellites for Iridium, marking the first launch of 2019 for the California-based company headed by …

• Defence Helicopter

  Ukraine returns to service EW helicopters

  11th January 2019

  The Ukrainian Air Force has returned to service two Soviet-era Mi-8 EW helicopters after a prolonged grounding. Both of these otherwise little-used machines, produced in …

• Digital Battlespace

  Russia to launch Sarmat ICBM production

  10th January 2019

  The Russian MoD is set to launch the RS-28 Sarmat super-heavy nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (IBCM) in 2021. The first regiment of the Strategic Missile …

• Naval Warfare

  Russian Navy strengthens its littoral capabilities

  11th January 2019

  The Russian Navy commissioned two newly-built vessels for littoral operations at the end of 2018, the first being the lead Project 22800 Karakurt small missile …

• Land Warfare

  Insight: US continues to court Turkey over air defence

  4th January 2019

  Turkey kicks off 2019 facing a geopolitically defining issue with the choice between two air defence systems, one from Russia and one from the USA. …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy to buy pair of aircraft carriers

  3rd January 2019

  The US Navy has received DoD approval to buy the third and fourth Ford-class aircraft carriers in one contract instead of two, an approach that …

• Land Warfare

  Philippines selects SPYDER for GBAD

  2nd January 2019

  The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is believed to have selected Rafael’s Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby (SPYDER) system for its ground-based air defence requirement under Horizon …

• Military Logistics

  USAF logisticians look beyond ‘War Wagons’

  11th December 2018

  The US Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) is looking for next-generation logistics trailers that would be used to support Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR) operations. …

• Military Logistics

  Japan to get first post-WWII aircraft carriers

  19th December 2018

  Japan will get its first aircraft carriers since World War II, and buy dozens of fighter jets, under a new defence plan approved on 18 …

• Military Logistics

  Kongsberg, Patria to acquire AIM Norway

  20th December 2018

  Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) has entered into an agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence for the purchase of Aerospace Industrial Maintenance Norway (AIM …

• Military Logistics

  Slovakia seals its largest-ever arms deal

  12th December 2018

  Slovakia will purchase 14 US-made F-16 war planes in the NATO member's largest-ever military purchase, the prime minister said on 12 December, dropping his earlier …

• Naval Warfare

  USCG receives Minotaur missionised HC-130J

  17th December 2018

  The US Coast Guard (USCG) has received a HC-130J Super Hercules long range surveillance aircraft equipped with the Minotaur mission system suite at Elizabeth City, …

• Naval Warfare

  HMS Medway completes maiden sea trials

  17th December 2018

  The Royal Navy’s HMS Medway has successfully completed its maiden sea trials in the Firth of Clyde, the navy announced on 11 December. During the …

• Naval Warfare

  Navantia to build five frigates for Spanish Navy

  13th December 2018

  Spain's state-owned shipbuilder Navantia will build five frigates for the country's navy in a €4.3 billion deal that will create around 7,000 jobs, the ministry …

• Defence Notes

  With eye on China, Japan unveils record defence budget

  21st December 2018

  Japan's defence budget will swell to a record $47 billion for the next fiscal year, the government said Friday, as Tokyo beefs up its missile …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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

  F-35A (Add-On) [Germany]

  Programme Background The German newspaper Spiegel published a report on 20 October 2025 claiming that German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is seeking to acquire 15 additional F-35A ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (33-64) [Poland]

  Background Requirement announcement In June 2026, the Polish Minister of Defence announced that the classified Polish Armed Forces Development Programme, which was officially signed off ...

• 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 [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

  Multirole Fighter (Austria)

  Background Fleet to be replaced In 2003, Austria purchased 15 Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft and deliveries were completed between 2007-2009. Australian Tranche 1 fleet is ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [UK]

  Programme Background Ahead of a NATO meeting taking place at the end of June 2025, the United Kingdom confirmed the procurement of 12 new F-35A ...

• Fighter - multirole

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Fighter) [India]

  Programme Background Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the ...

• 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-15EX (2020) [USA]

  Programme Background The F-15EX is based on the 2-seat F-15QA (Qatar) configuration upgraded with USAF-only capabilities, including the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  Background Timeline In May 2021, budget constraints prompted new Colombian finance minister José Manuel Restrepo (in post since 3 May) to place on indefinite hold ...

• Fighter - multirole, Trainer

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Trainer) [India]

  Programme Background Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Fighter Capability Project [Canada]

  Background Canada’s defence policy estimates the acquisition of the aircraft, associated equipment and setup to enable entry into service will cost C$15-19 billion (US$12.9-14.5 billion). However, by ...

• 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 - multirole

  F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Background Fleets one and two Across three separate orders, spanning from 2010 to 2016, Israel ordered 50 F-35I fighter aircraft, which make up its first ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  GH-4200

  L3Harris GH-4200 Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) is a repeater display designed for F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft.

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15J/DJ

  The F-15J and F-15DJ "Peace Eagle" are variants of the F-15 Eagle air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS)

  The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) is an integrated defence system manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is designed for the F-15, F-15K and F-15E ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15 Eagle

  The F-15 Eagle is a group of air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft that includes the F-15A/B/C/D models. The F-15A "Streak Eagle" and F-15C are single-seat versions used ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/ALQ-135

  The AN/ALQ-135, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is a mounted active jamming system carried on the F-15C and F-15 E combat aircrafts. The system is a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Ophir Lightweight IR Zoom Lenses

  The LightIR thermal imaging zoom lenses include the 20-275mm f/5.5 mediumwave IR(264gr) and the 15-75mm f/1.2 longwave IR (320gr). Both lenses are lightweight and high-performance, ...

• Guided munitions

  Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)

  The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit developed for the USAF and USN that converts unguided bombs into all-weather ‘smart’ munitions. JDAM-equipped ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  AN/ALQ-128(V)

  Raytheon’s AN/ALQ-128(V) is a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) which equips the F-15C/D Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle series combat aircraft. The system's original manufacturer was ...

• EO/IR systems

  IRST

  IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  JHMCS II

  The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a joint USAF/USN programme that has fielded over 5,000 systems. The JHMCS is qualified on F-15, F-16 and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7020-1-D-01

  The 7020-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 25mm F/1.0. It supports multiple detectors with pitch from 15-50µm and designed for general thermal imaging ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Pakistan Air Force F-16C ATDs

  The F-16C Aircrew Training Devices built by L3Harris Technologies for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) became ready for training in 2014. Both simulators, one a ...

• 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 ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7010-1-D-01

  The 7010-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 35mm F/1.2. It supports multiple detectors with a pitch from 15-50µm and is designed for general ...