• Digital Battlespace

  Saab launches Vidar laser rangefinder

  20th December 2018

  Saab has launched a new laser rangefinder called Vidar, a system designed to generate highly accurate tracking data even at long ranges. Vidar is currently …

• Defence Notes

  NATO-led troops on the move in northern Kosovo

  13th December 2018

  Kosovo's NATO-led peacekeepers moved troops through the Serb-dominated north on 13 December, an AFP correspondent reported, amid high tensions with Serbia on the eve of …

• Naval Warfare

  DDG 1002 launched at Bath Iron Works

  14th December 2018

  The US Navy’s third and final Zumwalt-class ship, the future USS Lyndon B Johnson (DDG 1002), has been launched at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard. …

• Defence Notes

  Russia to build up Arctic military presence

  18th December 2018

  Russia will build up its military presence in the Arctic over the next year, the defence minister said 18 December, as Moscow seeks to assert …

• Land Warfare

  Lithuania looks to NATO to deter Russia, dismisses European Army

  6th December 2018

  The idea of a European Army was dismissed by a Lithuanian defence official who said that NATO nations should continue to increase spending within the …

• Naval Warfare

  USS Abraham Lincoln completes CSSQT

  12th December 2018

  US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, successfully completed testing of its self-defence system (SSDS) capabilities during Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) on …

• Land Warfare

  US backs Kosovo's plan to create an army

  7th December 2018

  Washington supports Kosovo's plans to create its own army, the US ambassador to Pristina said 6 December, signalling a rift with NATO, which is against …

• Defence Notes

  Kosovo tests Serbia with vote to build an army

  13th December 2018

  Kosovo will vote 14 December on whether to create its own army, in a heavily symbolic show of independence from Serbia that has inflamed tensions …

• Naval Warfare

  USS Billings completes acceptance trials

  14th December 2018

  The US Navy’s Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the future USS Billings, has successfully completed acceptance trials in the waters of Lake Michigan, Lockheed Martin …

• Training

  German Navy receives nautical training facility

  11th December 2018

  Rheinmetall has delivered a new nautical training facility to the German Navy School in Mürwik on the Baltic, the company announced on 6 December. The …

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy pursuing shipyard upgrades

  14th December 2018

  The US Navy, which recently released a $21 billion, 20-year plan to modernise its four public shipyards, is moving ahead with making the document a …

• Military Logistics

  QinetiQ receives NCSISS contract extension

  14th December 2018

  QinetiQ has received a £9 million contract extension to cover the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers with the Naval Combat Systems Integration Support …

• Defence Notes

  NATO treads carefully in Ukraine-Russia sea spat

  3rd December 2018

  NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on 3 December demanded Russia end its naval standoff with Ukraine, but refused to pledge new support for Kiev, as the …

• Defence Notes

  With eye on China, Japan unveils record defence budget

  21st December 2018

  Japan's defence budget will swell to a record $47 billion for the next fiscal year, the government said Friday, as Tokyo beefs up its missile …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian Navy corvette performs helicopter trials

  13th December 2018

  The Russian Navy’s new corvette, Gromky, is undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced on 6 December. As …

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

  Joint Maritime Multi-Mission System (J3MS)/SIGINT Ship (2) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirements Since 2002, the Italian Navy has operated the SIGINT ship Elettra. The vessel, which is expected to remain in service until the ...

• 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, ...

• 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, ...

• 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

  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.

• 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.

• 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 ...

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 Artillery Ammunition

  105mm HE HB ER G3

  The 105mm High Explosive (HE HB) extended range (ER) G3 ammunition round, manufactured by KNDS, is a part of the 105mm NATO standard shell family. ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...