• Land Warfare

  Funding challenges confront main UK land programmes

  9th March 2020

  The British Army is facing a huge challenge as it modernises its armoured vehicle fleet in the next decade.  The UK National Audit Office's (NAO) …

• Training

  RUAG to maintain Dutch PC-7 training fleet

  13th March 2020

  Following a public tender, RUAG MRO Switzerland has been awarded a contract to support and service the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF’s) fleet of Pilatus …

• Naval Warfare

  As Operation Irini starts, the question is who will benefit?

  3rd April 2020

  The EU’s new maritime security mission, created to aid enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya, officially stood up this week as the bloc shifts …

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing to oversee UK Apache’s post-production services

  10th March 2020

  Boeing has secured a $191.85 million cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract to provide post-production services for the UK’s AH-64E Apache helicopter fleet. This will include maintenance …

• Special Operations

  German SF set for new rifle but Bundeswehr must wait

  9th March 2020

  Deliveries of the new HK416 rifle (pictured) to German SF are expected to start this month as the Bundeswehr ponders the replacement of its main …

• Land Warfare

  Russia launches Crimea live-fire exercise

  10th March 2020

  Russia’s Black Sea Fleet Army Corp has begun a live fire exercise in Crimea which will involve more than 250 different weapon systems. The exercise …

• Defence Notes

  Flight tests are central for US in hypersonic arms race

  18th March 2020

  The US military is preparing a crucial flight test of a hypersonic weapon this spring, as part of a ramped-up campaign to develop and field …

• Air Warfare

  Bahrain signs new Raytheon Patriot System deal

  9th March 2020

  Raytheon will provide the Kingdom of Bahrain with Patriot air and missile defence systems as part of a new $551 million contract. The company confirmed …

• Training

  Ravenswood to support British Army training in Kenya

  4th March 2020

  Ravenswood has been awarded a £31.6 million ($40.4 million) contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide tactical engagement simulation to the British …

• Land Warfare

  Lockheed Martin to supply more GMLRS

  2nd March 2020

  US Army Contracting Command has awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.14 billion contract modification to produce Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), the DoD announced on 27 …

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing unveils its US Army FARA design

  3rd March 2020

  Boeing revealed its prototype design for the US Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) which will gradually replace the retired Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The …

• Land Warfare

  US Army orders additional 155mm Bonus munitions

  3rd March 2020

  The US Army ordered an undisclosed number of additional 155mm Bonus munitions through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The munitions will be delivered …

• Defence Helicopter

  Utility helicopter OEMs eye Spike

  18th March 2020

  Rafael continues to offer its Spike family of antitank guided missiles as a weapons upgrade for various types of utility helicopter. Spike variants already arm …

• Naval Warfare

  US to maintain two-carrier force in CENTCOM region

  13th March 2020

  The US will maintain two carriers in the Middle East for an undisclosed period of time following retaliatory strikes by its forces on Kata'ib Hezbollah …

• Land Warfare

  Spain seeks to enhance mobility for SF

  3rd March 2020

  Spain is increasing efforts to improve the mobility of its SF, with initial deliveries expected this year of the Light Vehicle for Special Operations (VLOE …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  J-10 [China]

  Programme Background The aircraft performed its maiden flight in 1998 and entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2004. According to ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Data links

  Data links | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Future Naval Fighter China

  China is planning to deploy stealth naval fighter aircraft with vertical take-off landing capabilities to operate from Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s future Type 075A class ...

• Corvettes

  Jiangdao Class (Type 056)

  Programme Background The Type 056 corvette is referred to by the Chinese as the new-generation light guided-missile frigates. They have been built for the People's Liberation ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | S26T (2-3) [Thailand]

  The Royal Thai Navy were in the process of acquiring up to three new submarines derived from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Yuan-class (Type ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | S26T (2-3) [Thailand]

  The Royal Thai Navy were in the process of acquiring up to three new submarines derived from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Yuan-class (Type ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Rapid Minelayers Procurement (1-4) [Taiwan]

  Development and Procurement Four new rapid minelayers are being built for the Taiwanese Navy in a bid to counter the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Rapid Minelayers Procurement (5-10) [Taiwan]

  Programme Background Requirements The revelation of a Chinese bridge-barge landing system for amphibious operations, designed for a Taiwan invasion, has underscored the need for Taipei ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Kalyani M4 (India)

  Programme Background In the wake of border clashes with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2020, the Indian Army has accelerated several of its ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-60M Black Hawk [Taiwan]

  Programme Background The Black Hawks are intended to defend against potential threats from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as they possess rapid response capability in ...

• Frigates

  Jiangkai II Class (Type 054A)

  Built by Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard and Huangpu shipyards the frigates were first seen being constructed from 2005. The class is referred to as the workhorses of China's ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  VP1/Type 89 (Nigeria)

  Programme Background The Nigerian Army has an ongoing need for new armoured vehicles to replace losses incurred in its conflict with extremist organisations operating within ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C, Transport

  Y-8

  The Y-8 (Yunshuji-8) medium-sized transport and multirole aircraft was developed by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation and is based on the Soviet Antonov An-12. More than 36 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Type 19 8x8

  The Type 19 8x8 is a family of vehicles developed for use by the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Z-8

  Developed by Changhe Aircraft Industry Group, the Z-8 (known also as Z-18) is a derivative of the AC313 civil helicopter, which is itself a copy of ...

• Submachine guns

  CS/LS2

  Norinco’s CS/LS2 is a 9mm bullpup SMG designed for use with a suppressor. It has been in service with the People's Liberation Army since about ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-8

  The J-8 (NATO reporting name Finback) is a multirole fighter domestically developed by China. It has design similarities with Soviet MiG-21 and Su-15 aircraft.  The ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  KZ-800

  China National Electronics Import and Export’s (CEIEC) KZ-800 is an airborne Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) gathering system believed to be in widespread use onboard People’s Liberation ...

• Armoured engineer vehicles

  Type GCZ110

  Norinco announced in 2014 that it had completed development of the Type GCZ110 armoured engineer vehicle based on a modified Type 79 tank chassis equipped ...

• Main battle tanks

  VT2

  The 125mm-armed VT2 tracked MBT, which was unveiled at DSA 2012, is the export version of the People's Liberation Army Type 96A. As of early ...

• Fighter - ground attack

  J-16

  The J-16 is a multirole fighter developed by China. It is based on the J-11 air superiority fighter, itself a licence-built version of the Russian ...

• EO/IR systems

  Loong Eye LE380

  The Loong Eye (Dragon's Eye) LE380 is a two-axis stabilised gimbal incorporating EO/IR sensors, laser designators, and laser rangefinders. Originally developed by the Luoyang Opto-Electro ...

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

  Sky Saker FX400A

  The Sky Saker FX400A is a fixed-wing drone manufactured by Norinco. Capable of hosting both ISR and attack payloads, such as the Blue Arrow 7 ...

• Air-to-air missiles, Surface-to-air missiles

  TY-90

  TY-90 is a multi-purpose, short-range, IR-guided, tactical surface-to-air missile developed by China to defend against helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and cruise missiles at low and super-low ...

• Medium/general-purpose machine guns

  Type 80

  The Type 80 is a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) manufactured by Norinco in China, based on the Soviet PKM. Certified in 1980, it entered PLA ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  Yu-11 lightweight torpedo

  Yu-11 is a Chinese-made surface and air-launched lightweight torpedo to repel submarine threats from long distances.

• Light tanks

  Type 62

  The Type 62 light tank entered production for the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1963. Essentially a smaller, lighter clone of the Type 59 MBT, it is ...