• Air Warfare

  Czech Republic commits to F-35 jets despite Saab's 'free' Gripen lease offer

  2nd October 2023

  Despite Saab's attractive Gripen lease extension offer, the decision to buy the F-35 underscores the Czech Republic's commitment to the latest technology and strengthens ties with NATO allies.

• Digital Battlespace

  US consortium aims to improve platoon power by factor of 10

  31st October 2023

  A consortium of nine companies plans to conduct experiments and exercises over the next 12 months to demonstrate how new technologies can massively increase the power of forces at platoon level.

• Air Warfare

  Australia selects Lockheed Martin for Project Air 6500

  29th August 2023

  Lockheed Martin Australia has emerged as the winner to create a joint air battle management system for the ADF.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Air Show 2023: Can air-launched missile stocks keep pace with a full-spectrum conflict?

  9th November 2023

  Russia's war in Ukraine has pushed the issue of stocks up the priorities list for air forces concerned about dwindling reservoirs of air-launched ordnance.

• Special Operations

  UPDATED: Romania orders Polaris DAGOR special operations vehicles

  12th July 2023

  Polaris has been awarded a contract to provide 50 of its DAGOR ultralight tactical vehicles to Romania, joining other NATO countries such as Canada, the UK and US as operators.

• Naval Warfare

  Dutch navy launches new rMCM vessel

  20th October 2023

  The first new Mine Countermeasures Vessel (MCMV) for the Royal Netherlands Navy was launched in a ceremony at the Kership Joint Venture shipyard in Concarneau on 19 October 2023.

• Land Warfare

  Russia tests C-UAS slat protection over turrets and anti-UAV jamming systems for armoured vehicles

  20th September 2023

  Russian defence companies are adapting to emerging threats and exploring ways to counter top-attack munitions and first-person-view (FPV) UAVs.

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky lands $2.7 billion contract for CH-53K helicopters, eight for Israel and 27 for USMC

  25th August 2023

  The USN has awarded Sikorsky a $2.7 billion contract for the production and delivery of 35 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, split between the USMC and Israel, with deliveries expected to start in 2026.

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine to receive SurveilSPIRE C-UAS systems from Germany

  6th October 2023

  A new order has been made for Ukraine to receive automated SurveilSPIRE C-UAS systems from Germany’s Rheinmetall and Estonia’s DefSecIntel.

• Training

  US assists Philippine Air Force ISR training

  22nd September 2023

  At the request of the Philippine government, the 505th Training Squadron located at Hurlburt Field, Florida sent a team of USAF Air Operations Center Formal Training Unit instructors to Villamor Air Base, Philippines.

• Land Warfare

  Russia unveils experimental ZAK-23E self-propelled anti-aircraft gun for counter-UAS role

  28th August 2023

  Russia’s JSC Tulamashzavod and JSC Research Center Elins presented a new ZAK-23E self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) at the Army-2023 event near Moscow in mid-August. It is an experimental vehicle that is designed to combine robust and mass-produced components and is capable of firing programmable airburst rounds.

• Air Warfare

  C-27J Spartan contract to strengthen Italy and Azerbaijan relations

  8th June 2023

  Italy and Azerbaijan have signed a contract for the supply of the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine to receive new type of counter drone system [UPDATED]

  30th August 2023

  Kongsberg is to deliver the Cortex Typhon CUAS through the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). The systems will provide essential aerial threat protection capabilities, enhancing Ukraine's ability to combat UAVs such as Shahen 136.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2023: GA-ASI and Edge forge MQ-9B weapon integration partnership on future UAE drones

  13th November 2023

  The partnership between Edge and General Atomics aims to concentrate on incorporating precision-guided munitions and guided-glide weapon systems onto forthcoming MQ-9Bs, provided that the Gulf Country gains access to the platform.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Ukraine shows combat-tested armament at DSEI 2023

  15th September 2023

  The Ukrainian pavilion at DSEI 2023, organised by state-owned Spetstechnoexport, exhibited several indigenous combat-tested systems, including UAVs, USVs and an evacuation vehicle.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport

  C-130J (Secondhand) [Greece]

  Programme Background The decision was prompted by repeated operational failures in the HAF’s C-130 fleet, particularly highlighted during a failed mission to transport a Greek ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-2 (Japan)

  Programme BackgroundKawasaki Heavy Industries developed the C-2 for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to replace its Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules fleets. ...

• Transport

  C-130J - USAF

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  Programme Background Requirement South Africa’s current C-130BZ fleet has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain, being amongst the oldest C-130 aircraft still operational. Despite a 2023 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Programme Background Requirements Sweden has five C-130H aircraft (designated Tp-84) and one KC-130H. Two C-130Es bought in the 1960s have retired, but the six H ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M (Indonesia)

  Programme Background The TNI-AU currently relies on 17 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and L-100-30 aircraft, including five C-130Hs transferred from Australia. Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirement The Royal Saudi Air Force operates 33 C-130H, 7 KC-130H aircraft and two KC-130Js. The country has been seeking to replace its ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130 Hercules Replacement [Greece]

  As part of the Long Defence Procurement Program covering 2025-2036, Greece has identified Embraer's C-390 transport aircraft as a possible replacement for the C-130 Hercules. The ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130 Hercules Replacement [Greece]

  As part of the Long Defence Procurement Program covering 2025-2036, Greece has identified Embraer's C-390 transport aircraft as a possible replacement for the C-130 Hercules. The ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130 Hercules Replacement [Greece]

  As part of the Long Defence Procurement Program covering 2025-2036, Greece has identified Embraer's C-390 transport aircraft as a possible replacement for the C-130 Hercules. The ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M-Forecast [Indonesia]

  Programme Background The TNI-AU currently relies on 17 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and L-100-30 aircraft, including five C-130Hs transferred from Australia. Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) is ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement The existing C-130 fleet of the Hellenic Air Force has faced operational readiness issues, with only one or two airframes in service at ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-37A - USAF

  Programme Background The USAF was using C-20B transport aircraft, variant of civilian Gulfstream III, to provide worldwide airlift for DoD and government officials. With the ...

• Transport

  Strategic Airlift Capability [Mexico]

  Programme Background Requirement The Mexican Air Force's transport capability is provided by the country's 302nd (C-130 Hercules) and 502nd (Boeing 737-200) squadrons. Previously, it also operated Boeing ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130 Tampa Training Center

  CAE owns and operates a training centre in Tampa, Florida, for operators of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft. CAE’s C-130 Tampa Training Center offers ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130 ATS

  The Lockheed Martin C-130 Aircrew Training System (ATS) provides academic and simulation training for C-130 weapons system aircrews and maintenance personnel. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, ...

• EO/IR systems

  Orca 130

  According to the manufacturer, Threod Systems, the Orca 130 is a non-ITAR, four-sensor gyro-stabilised payload for ISR missions. The Orca 130 is the standard payload for the ...

• Transport

  C-130J Super Hercules

  The C-130J Super Hercules is the latest model of the C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J primarily performs the tactical portion of ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  AN/APN-241

  The AN/APN-241 is a high-resolution ground mapping radar developed for C-130 mission and operational requirements. It enables accurate low-level navigation and precision aerial drops, predictive ...

• Trailers

  MTVR Cargo Trailer

  The MTVR Cargo Trailer was developed for use with the USMC's Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR), produced by Oshkosh Defense. It is built for rugged ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Cockpit 9000

  Produced by CMC Electronics, the Cockpit 9000 is an integrated avionics solution primarily integrated into C-130 aircraft. According to the manufacturer, over 100 C-130s are ...

• Transport

  C-130 Hercules

  The C-130E/H Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It first entered service in 1962. According to Lockheed Martin, 1,693 C-130E and C-130H models ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF C-130J MATS

  Training for USAF C-130J crews is managed under a programme called C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS). Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for ...

• Transport

  C-2

  Kawasaki Heavy Industries developed the C-2 for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to replace its Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules fleets. The ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AE 2100

  The Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engine is a widely used military powerplant that can be found on Lockheed Martin C-130 variants (AE 2100D3), Leonardo C-27J ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  Chaff and Flare Cartridges

  The BAE Systems family of chaff and IR expendables includes M206 207x25x25mm (0.04kg) IR decoy flare; MJU-x 264x74mm (0.4kg) IR decoy flare; RR-129/AL 147x36mm (0.23kg) chaff ...

• Launchers

  Hercules AH-01

  The Hercules AH-01 high-pressure pneumatic launcher is designed to launch UAVs of up to 500kg MTOW. It is air-transportable in C-130, A400M, or other similar ...

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

  X-61A Gremlin

  Dynetics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leidos, is developing the X-61A Gremlin. This low-cost swarming drone can be outfitted with different payloads, launched by a mothership, recovered ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AE 2100D3

  The AE2100 engine, a derivative of the T406 turboshaft family of engines, is designed by Rolls-Royce to power high-speed transport aircraft. The AE2100D3 variant was ...