• Land Warfare

  Italy picks Rheinmetall and Leonardo for MBT and IFV and gives MGCS a boost

  3rd July 2024

  Italy has been looking replace its Ariete MBTs but has gone back and forth between a future European tank, more Leopards, an upgrade of existing vehicles and other options. It now seems to have thrown its hand in with the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).

• Land Warfare

  What to expect from Eurosatory 2024

  11th June 2024

  Paris’s biennial defence showcase will return with a heavy focus on AI, helicopters and UAS systems, as more than 60,000 visitors get ready to descend on the French capital.

• Land Warfare

  KNDS pitches new Leopard 2 variant as 'gap-filler' to MGCS next-gen tank

  19th June 2024

  The Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 focuses on protection and firepower by taking the crew out of the turret, providing a 30mm cannon for C-UAS use and offering a 130mm or 140mm main gun option. It can be built new or delivered as an upgrade option for existing Leopard 2s to fill the 10-year gap before the Main Ground Combat System enters service.

• Naval Warfare

  Elbit wins first order for export version of Crossbow unmanned turret

  8th May 2024

  At DSEI 2023 Elbit Systems unveiled a lightweight export model of its Crossbow 120mm mortar system being developed for the Israel Defense Forces.

• Defence Notes

  Can NATO countries succeed in a war against Russia?

  13th June 2024

  Member states have been preparing personnel and inventory for a high-intensity conflict but many challenges remain.

• Air Warfare

  Staying power: The importance of mid-life upgrades (opinion)

  9th July 2024

  The rapid integration of advanced Western weapons with Soviet-era Ukrainian aircraft and the adaptability shown in makeshift solutions has highlighted the essential role of mid-life upgrades in maintaining effective military forces amid evolving combat and technological challenges.

• Training

  How the US is preparing to support NATO countries in a war against Russia

  25th April 2024

  US European Command has been repositioning troops and equipment, expanding its prepositioned stockpiles, and conducting additional joint exercises with partners and allies.

• Land Warfare

  Sweden orders more CV90s to replace vehicles donated to Ukraine

  21st May 2024

  As the domestic manufacturer and original operator of the CV90 IFV, Sweden has had a continuous fleet of CV90s in service since the 1990s. Consisting of a wide variety of variants and upgrade standards, Sweden is reported to have 459 CV90s following the donation of 50 CV90 40Cs donated to Ukraine in 2023.

• Digital Battlespace

  Seizing the Future: The Imperative for Militaries to Master AI and Forge Strategic Alliances

  16th August 2024

  The current pace of innovation demands a new strategy for success, focusing on developing technology to meet specific defence goals and ensuring collaborative efforts.

• Digital Battlespace

  How has Russia progressed with the development of a nuclear anti-satellite weapon?

  1st July 2024

  The Pentagon recently confirmed that Moscow launched a LEO satellite that could offer a counter-space capability. Media news outlets also reported that the Kremlin was approaching initial trials.

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia reshapes its plan for new tanks in face of Russian aggression

  23rd May 2024

  The Russia–Ukraine war has seen a renewed drive towards land vehicles and increased procurement throughout Eastern Europe, with Poland being the leader of the effort. Many countries, including as Slovakia, have focused their efforts on tanks.

• Air Warfare

  FIA 2024: Looking to sixth-generation fighters and the New Medium Helicopter programme

  18th July 2024

  Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2024 is the even-year event where the biggest and the best present their efforts, and while the possibility of a roll-out or surprise curtain reveal remain slim, there are big programmes still being competed for.

• Air Warfare

  Portugal wants F-35s, but has no firm plans in place

  1st May 2024

  The Portuguese Air Force’s leader has outlined the importance of embracing the F-35 to maintain the country's air capabilities despite the absence of a formal procurement plan for the latest Lockheed Martin fighter.

• Training

  NATO concludes largest exercise in decades

  3rd June 2024

  NATO’s Operation Steadfast Defender involved more than 90,000 personnel, more than 50 ships, more than 80 aircraft flying hundreds of sorties and more than 1,100 combat vehicles from all 32 NATO allies.

• Naval Warfare

  Kongsberg, Diehl, MBDA to develop supersonic strike missile for Germany and Norway

  14th May 2024

  The 3SM Tyrfing supersonic strike missile will succeed the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) currently in use on Norwegian naval vessels from 2035, with Germany yet to announce its deployment plans.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT Follow-On [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S [France]

  Programme Background Following the announcement of the 14-ship contract, the DGA approved the design of the first two standard amphibious landing craft (EDA-S) in October 2019, ...

• Main battle tanks

  New MBT [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• OPVs

  Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  Programme Background Timeline In mid-2017, Sri Lanka was considering purchasing a Gepard 5.1-class (Project 1166.1) frigate from Russia. The delivery was planned based on an ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Tanker Aircraft [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirement Procurement of tanker aircraft is aligned with a broader 2021-approved Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) plan to enhance the HAF's reach and ...

• Main battle tanks

  M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 [Romania]

  Programme Background Requirement The Romanian Army's MBT fleet is composed of T-55 variants that are due to be retired in the mid-2020s. Although Romania's TR-85 ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC)/Buques de Protección Marítima (BPM) [Spain]

  Programme Background Requirements The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) is one of the new PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence and Security) projects. PESCO was established ...

• Corvettes

  European Patrol Corvette (EPC) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements The 2021-2023 Documento Programmatico Pluriennale (DPP) - a multi-year defence planning document from the Italian MoD - includes a plan to acquire eight "Patrol Ships", ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Second-hand LCS [Greece]

  In January 2024, Tasos Chatzivasileiou revealed that discussions are taking place with the US regarding the potential acquisition of four second-hand Freedom-class LCS. A letter ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Second-hand LCS [Greece]

  In January 2024, Tasos Chatzivasileiou revealed that discussions are taking place with the US regarding the potential acquisition of four second-hand Freedom-class LCS. A letter ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Third Hamilton Class Cutter [Sri Lanka]

  In 2017, Sri Lanka was considering acquiring a Gepard 5.1 class patrol frigate from Russia but reports from 2018 claim the purchase is not going ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Surplus Maxxpro [Bangladesh - Batch 1]

  Programme Background The Bangladesh Army requires MRAPs to provide protected mobility to its troops deployed on UN peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: air defence radar

  APIS

  APIS is a passive high-resolution primary radar system developed by Indra. It is the first passive system in the world capable of offering images using ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-S

  The Engins de Debarquement Amphibie - Standards (EDA-S) is an amphibious landing craft built by CNIM in partnership with Socarenam, Mauric and CNN MCO. It ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  EDA-R

  Four EDA-R (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie-Rapide) fast amphibious landing craft were ordered for the French Navy in 2009 after a 12-month evaluation. They are designed ...

• Patrol boats

  Marine Protector Class

  The Marine Protector-class of coastal patrol boats (CPBs) was ordered in 1996 to replace the USCG's Point-class vessels. Fifty boats were originally ordered, which was ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

  The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a two-person, light scout helicopter with a day/night mast-mounted sight, glass cockpit and four-bladed rotor system. Following the retirement of ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  LOTUS

  The LOTUS, Low Observable Tactical Unnamed System, is a tactical UAV especially designed for border patrol ISR operations.  The development of the project is funded by ...

• Patrol boats

  Reliance Class Cutters

  The Reliance-class cutters, also known as Medium Endurance Cutters, are in service with the US Coast Guard (USGC). They work alongside the Famous-class ships on ...

• Frigates

  Aquitaine Class (FREMM)

  The Aquitaine-class frigates for the French Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata Europea Multi-Missione). For France, the ships ...

• Uncrewed aerial systems engines

  AE50R

  The AE50R is an aviation gasoline single rotary engine with an output of 40.4kW. The engine is certified according to European Aviation Safety Agency Part ...

• Frigates

  Bergamini Class (FREMM)

  The Bergamini-class frigates for the Italian Navy are based on the Franco-Italian, European, multipurpose frigate design FREMM (European multi-mission Frigate/Fregata europea multi-missione). For Italy, the ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  One 150

  The One 150 is a tactical UAV manufactured by Primoco UAV. The UAV is designed for commercial and military use and can be configured to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Sky-X

  The Sky-X UCAV was conceived for demonstration and research purposes and in 2005 became the first European-designed UAV over 1000 kg and with performance comparable ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  Sky Buzzer

  Hensoldt’s Sky Buzzer is a towed anti-radar decoy originally developed by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). The system is designed to protect ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  PULS

  The PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) from Elbit Systems is a modular, truck‑mounted multiple‑launch rocket/missile system developed in Israel to provide flexible long‑range fires ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  MaxxPro

  The International MaxxPro was developed by Navistar for the MRAP programme and the US Army’s Medium Mine Protected Vehicle project. Selected for the MRAP Category ...