• Defence Notes

  Paris Air Show: FCAS takes centre stage as fighter talk peaks

  17th June 2019

  As with the last edition of the Farnborough Air Show where former UK defence secretary Gavin Willamson presented the UK’s future fighter Tempest concept, France …

• Digital Battlespace

  Link 16 capability migrating towards infantry use

  4th June 2019

  The NATO Link 16 tactical data link (TDL) is synonymous with air operations however it is now migrating into the hands of individual soldiers, promising …

• Naval Warfare

  US lawmakers raise concerns about enemy swarms

  17th June 2019

  Worried that the US Navy’s surface ships might be vulnerable to hostile swarms of drones or other unmanned systems, a congressional panel is calling on …

• Naval Warfare

  OSI to support RCN’s JSS programme

  4th June 2019

  OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) has signed a contract with Thales Canada to provide integrated bridge and navigation systems (IBNS) for the Royal Canadian Navy’s new …

• Defence Notes

  Paris Air Show: Sharper sting for Boeing's Super Hornet

  10th June 2019

  Boeing expects to deliver the first two network-centric Super Hornet F/A-18 Block III aircraft in 2019 for testing and evaluation by the US Navy.  Separately, …

• Naval Warfare

  HMAS Arunta II undergoes stability testing

  29th May 2019

  Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Arunta II, has undergone stability testing at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia following its Anzac Midlife Capability …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy orders Mk 46 Gun Weapon Systems

  7th June 2019

  The US Navy announced on 5 June 2019 that it had awarded a contract worth $25.5 million to General Dynamics Land Systems for six Mk …

• Digital Battlespace

  US Marine Corps tunes into narrowband network

  13th June 2019

  The USMC  has now begun rolling out its next-generation narrowband SATCOM system to replace its legacy SATCOM networks. Thousands of antenna kits for the AN/PRC-117G …

• Defence Helicopter

  Raytheon to produce more AMNS

  5th June 2019

  The US Department of Defense has elected to exercise an option under a previously awarded contract with Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems for the Airborne Mine …

• Military Logistics

  DND completes dry dock work on USNS Choctaw County

  4th June 2019

  Duqm Naval Dockyard (DND) has completed repair, overhaul and dry docking work on the US Military Sealift Command’s USNS Choctaw County. DND is a joint …

• Naval Warfare

  US lawmakers aim to ease ‘Buy America’ restrictions on new frigate

  10th June 2019

  To avoid a potential snag in the competition to build the US Navy’s future guided missile frigate (FFG(X)) a congressional panel has approved a proposal …

• Digital Battlespace

  Weakest link eliminated in international exercise

  4th June 2019

  The wide availability of Link 16 is now removing interoperability issues between air power platforms during challenging international training exercises. At an Arctic Challenge Exercise …

• Land Warfare

  German Army trains with Spike

  5th June 2019

  The German Army has wrapped its annual firing training of the Rafael Spike LR anti-tank guided missile as of 3 June. Carried out in Germany …

• Digital Battlespace

  NATO urges closer industry ties in cyber warfare fight

  23rd May 2019

  NATO is urging for closer engagement between militaries and industry in a bid to combat the increasing number and sophistication of cyber attacks from both …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  GA-ASI integrates L3 Wescam’s MX-20 onto multiple platforms

  31st May 2019

  L3 Wescam and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems are integrating Wescam’s MX-20 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging system into the SkyGuardian RPAS, as well as the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  MiG-35 (Russia)

  The MiG-35 is a new-generation derivative of the twin-engine MiG-29 (NATO code-name ‘Fulcrum’) featuring multi-role combat capabilities, significantly reworked airframe and a vastly expanded arsenal ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  In June 2024, during a presentation provided at the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE), the Italian Navy detailed the new capabilities it ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  In June 2024, during a presentation provided at the NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE), the Italian Navy detailed the new capabilities it ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SIGINT Vessel Procurement [Spain]

  The Spanish Navy urges the replacement of the intelligence gathering ship Alerta, which has been in service since 1992. In April 2025, Spain released its upgraded ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SIGINT Vessel Procurement [Spain]

  The Spanish Navy urges the replacement of the intelligence gathering ship Alerta, which has been in service since 1992. In April 2025, Spain released its upgraded ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  SIGINT Vessel Procurement [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The Spanish Navy urges the replacement of the intelligence gathering ship Alerta, which has been in service since 1992. Prior to that, ...

• AEW&C

  Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  Programme Background NATO’s E-3A AWACS fleet is set to retire in 2035, after 50 years of service. To plan for the required follow-on capability, NATO's ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Multirole Underwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements According to the presentation provided by the Italian Navy, the MultiroleUnderwater Seabed Surveillance Ship (MU3S) will:operate a wide range of uncrewed systems, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Data links

  Data links | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Military UAS - small

  Puma 2 AE [Germany]

  Programme Background The Germany navy had an urgent requirement for three UAS required for reconnaissance and identification in maritime operations. A platform was required that ...

• Destroyers

  TF-2000 Destroyers (Milgem Project) [Turkey]

  Programme Background Requirements The TF-2000 class Air Defence Warfare (ADW) destroyers are part of Turkeys Milgem project to revitalise the fleet. The ships are intended ...

• Destroyers

  DDX Programme (1-2) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements Destroyers are fundamental to Italy's blue water fleet and will be required to be capable of projecting capability at sea from the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK244 Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) Enhanced Lethality Cartridge (ELC)

  MK244 Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) Enhanced Lethality Cartridge (ELC) is a 20mm medium calibre round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Light machine guns

  LSAT LMG

  Textron Systems Unmanned Systems is developing and maturing a Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) family of weapons and ammunition with the US Army that fires ...

• Anti-ship missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  3M-54 Kalibr

  The 3M-54 Kalibr, or Klub (NATO reporting name: SS-N-27 'Sizzler'), is a Russian surface ship and submarine-launched anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile.

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK149 Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot

  The MK149 Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) is a 20mm medium calibre round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Unguided Tank Ammunition

  105mm M490 Target Practice - Tracer

  The 105mm M490 Target Practice - Tracer is a tank training round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  Kh-31

  The Kh-31 (NATO reporting name AS-17 Krypton) is a Russian anti-ship missile that is known for its anti-radiation (Kh-31P) and anti-ship (Kh-31A) versions.

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  Flat Track

  The Flat Track (NATO reporting name) is a barrage and deception radar jamming system that is able to counter anti-ship missiles.

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  6.5mm CT Carbine

  The 6.5mm Cased Telescoped (CT) Carbine is a closed-bolt, forward-feed, gas piston-operated weapon being developed as part of the US Army's Lightweight Small Arms Technology ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  20MM PGU-28 A/B Semi-Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary (SAPHEI)

  The 20MM PGU-28 A/B Semi-Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary (SAPHEI) is a medium-calibre round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Unguided Tank Ammunition

  M724A2 Target Practice Discarding Sabot-Tracer

  The M724A2 Target Practice Discarding Sabot-Tracer is a 105mm training tank round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. The US Army procured the 1,623 rounds ...

• Major networking projects

  NATO DCIS

  Airbus is delivering the NATO Deployable Communication and Information System (DCIS). The project represents a major upgrade in the capability of NATO Response Forces (NRF) ...

• Land: RWS

  Qimek NATO

  Rheinmetall's RWS family includes the Qimek single-weapon RWS and the Nanuk dual-weapon RWS. The Qimek NATO combines full stabilisation, long-range day/night all-weather sights and a ...

• Land: RWS

  Nanuk NATO

  Rheinmetall's RWS family includes the Qimek single-weapon RWS and the Nanuk dual-weapon RWS, which was introduced in 2008. The Nanuk NATO combines full stabilisation, long-range ...

• Major networking projects

  NATO SATCOM

  Leonardo has been awarded a turnkey contract to rationalise and upgrade NATO’s SATCOM systems and associated infrastructure. The company will design, build, test, commission and ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM, Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  R&S M3SR Series4100

  Rohde & Schwarz M3SR Series4100 is a family of software-defined HF radios designed for stationary and shipborne communications. Offered in multiple configurations, they offer high-data-rate BLOS ...