• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems selects MCT-30 for USMC vehicles

  14th May 2020

  BAE Systems has selected Kongsberg’s MCT-30 turret for use in its USMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme. The company will deliver up to 150 turrets …

• Land Warfare

  Spain progresses VCR 8x8 programme

  14th May 2020

  Spanish Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, has signed a new commitment allowing the incorporation of a limited company made up of four other national defence …

• Training

  Allied Spirit exercise delayed until June 2020

  14th May 2020

  The US Army Europe and the Polish Ministry of Defence confirmed on 13 May that the Allied Spirit exercise due to take place at Drawsko …

• Defence Notes

  US watching brief turns the screw on Russia’s Libyan foray

  28th May 2020

  A recent series of declassified intelligence images published by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) showing Russian fighter jets positioned in Libya looks to have unravelled consistent attempts …

• Air Warfare

  Australia selects SUAS+ while TUAV contenders prepare bids

  7th May 2020

  The Australian Army has two important UAV projects under way at present. The Small UAS ‘Plus’ (SUAS+) project has recently selected a winning platform, while …

• Defence Notes

  USAG Italy unveils COVID-19 recovery plan

  6th May 2020

  The US Army Garrison (USAG) Italy has outlined how it intends to gradually resume services across its military bases as the country slowly reopens. In …

• Digital Battlespace

  Australian Army to acquire EW attack capability

  7th May 2020

  Procurement of a new Australian Army electronic attack capability is set to begin this year. Indeed, acquisition of a force-level EW system that includes an …

• Defence Notes

  Latin American projects face COVID-19 problems

  27th May 2020

  The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will affect future defence procurement projects in Latin America, as regional governments and militaries restructure their priorities. One of the first …

• Land Warfare

  Philippines buys truck-mounted howitzers from Israel

  5th May 2020

  The Philippines has made a selection for its army’s programme to acquire 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH), by issuing a notice to proceed to an Israeli …

• Training

  RBSL offers UGV training to British Army

  12th May 2020

  Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has secured a training and maintenance contract with Rheinmetall Canada to support the British Army’s recent acquisition of four Mission …

• Defence Helicopter

  Italy reveals Egyptian AW149 and AW189 mega order

  21st May 2020

  An Italian Foreign Ministry report on 2019 arms exports has finally lifted the lid on a highly lucrative military helicopter deal between Leonardo and Egypt. …

• Defence Helicopter

  First UK AH-64E Apache to arrive six months late

  14th May 2020

  The first of 50 UK-remanufactured AH-64E V6 Apache Guardian attack helicopters will arrive six months later than expected, Shephard has learned.   'A change in the development' …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Delta Digital Video ruggedised encoders supporting MQ-1C Gray Eagles

  11th May 2020

  Delta Digital Video is to continue delivering its ruggedised airborne video encoders to support production of avionics, datalinks and software for the General Atomics  MQ-1C …

• Defence Notes

  South America takes on coronavirus

  25th March 2020

  South America’s defence sector has increased its efforts in the regional fight against the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. In Colombia, the Science and Technology Corporation …

• Special Operations

  No more gold nuggets as SSE delivers decreasing returns

  18th May 2020

  After nearly two decades of continuous combat operations in counter-terror and counter-violent extremist organisation environments, US special operations planners are seeing a decreasing return on …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan-B [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan-C [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M1117 Guardian ASV [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army requested surplus M1117s to assist with counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics operations. Due to a lack of armoured vehicles suitable for troop transport, ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  M113A3 [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army currently operates 54 M113A1 and M113A2 APCs, which are divided among two mechanised infantry battalions and a training school. Known as ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Secure Personnel Transport Vehicle [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  PETEF (LAV III) [Colombia]

  Background Since the replacement of the M113 is understood to be a priority for the Colombian Army, it is anticipated that a contract could materialise ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  WanderB or ThunderB [Colombia]

  Programme Background Expodefensa 2019 During Colombia's Expodefensa 2019 exhibition, BlueBird Aero Systems displayed its ThunderB VTOL small UAV. Reportedly, the Colombian Army requested information on ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Secure Personnel Transport Vehicle [Colombia]

  Background Colombia is understood to have a requirement for as many as 100 APCs capable of carrying up to 20 troops and protecting their occupants ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Coelum (Colombia)

  Programme Background Testing Colombian Aeronautical Industry Cooperation (CIAC) was working on a project called Dron Coelum X-001. In late 2020, the CIAC tested a redesigned prototype of the ...

• Self-propelled guns

  ATMOS [Colombia]

  Programme background The Colombian army currently operates a variety of towed artillery platforms. The acquisition of self-propelled platforms is intended to enhance the capabilities of ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  PETEF (Tracked IFV) [Colombia]

  Background Since a programme to procure a tracked IFV has yet to be launched by the Colombian Army, it is unclear how many tracked IFVs ...

• Main battle tanks

  New MBT [Colombia]

  Background The Colombian Army has evaluated several offers for MBT platforms in the past, though none of these have progressed to the formal contract stage. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Data links

  Data links | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  The Colombian Air Force has a long-standing requirement for 15 new fighter aircraft to replace its aging 23 Kfir aircraft in service. On 3 April ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• MPVs - 4x4

  Titan

  Blindex developed the Titan series of APCs to provide the Colombian Army with an affordable means of transporting large numbers of troops for internal security ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Quimbaya X-003

  The Quimbaya X-003 is a Colombian fixed-wing UAV designed and developed by the Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC). Reportedly, following evaluation tests in late 2023, ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M1117 Guardian ASV

  In December 1995, the US Army selected a design based on the Textron ASV 150 to provide the military police with a vehicle that combined ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Coelum

  Manufactured by Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica Colombiana (CIAC), the Coelum is a mini UAV that is fitted with a 40x zoom EO/IR camera payload for ISR missions.  The ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Dragom

  Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC) unveiled the Dragom in mid-2025 at F-AIR Colombia 2025.  The rotary-wing quadcopter is designed for reconnaissance and guided attack missions. 

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-710

  The PRC-710 is a VHF/FM voice and data handheld radio with COMSEC and ECCM capabilities. Designed in response to emerging combat requirements, the PRC-710 is ...

• Frigates

  SIGMA 10514

  The Martadinata-class frigates, also known as the Perusak Kawal Rudal-class (PKR), are based on Damen's Sigma 10514 design. Two frigates have been jointly built by PT ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  LPR 40 MKII

  The LPR acts as a command boat for the group of tactical riverine combat boats operated by the Colombian Marine Corps. It is equipped with ...

• OPVs

  OPV 93C

  The OPV 93C is an offshore patrol vessel designed and developed by Cotecmar. The Colombian Navy ordered one platform in November 2022 and one in ...

• Long Range Missile Defence Systems: > 90km range

  Barak MX

  Barak MX, developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) based on the Barak family, is an integrated air and missile defence system with flexible configuration for the ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  SCTV

  The Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle(SCTV), developed by Textron Marine & Land Systems and Granite Tactical Vehicles, is an upgrade solution for the AM General High ...

• Sea: optronic masts and periscopes

  SERO 250

  The SERO 250 is a compact submarine periscope that can be installed in both new-build and upgraded boats. Little or no structural modifications are required ...

• Surface-to-air missiles

  Barak MR (MRAD)

  The Barak Medium Range (MR) missile, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is an advanced surface-to-air interceptor designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats, ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10

  The J-10 (NATO reporting name Firebird) is a multirole fighter developed by China to replace second-generation J-7 and Q-5 aircraft. The aircraft is also known ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Type 209/1200

  The Type 209/1200 diesel-electric submarine is a variant of the Type 209 submarine designed by the German company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft exclusively for the export market. ...