• Defence Notes

  Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons

  18th February 2025

  Increased drone use in Ukraine and in Middle Eastern conflicts has created a strong impetus to develop laser and radio-frequency firepower as exploration of direct-energy technology intensifies.

• Naval Warfare

  US Coast Guard might not have surface assets to patrol the Arctic this summer

  13th August 2024

  While the service struggles to maintain its cold-temperature fleet, Russia and China have been increasing their presence in the region.

• Air Warfare

  Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed

  25th April 2025

  New Delhi had been gearing up to sign a Navy Rafale deal as talks swirled around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.

• Naval Warfare

  Second Belgian mine counter-measure ship launched

  3rd July 2024

  Twelve new Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs) are being built to replace the Tripartite-class MCMV. The programme is a joint Dutch-Belgian procurement and a contract was awarded to Belgium Naval Robotics (BNR) in 2019.

• Digital Battlespace

  BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme

  3rd October 2024

  DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025

  12th February 2025

  India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Serco receives contract extension for Royal Navy helicopter support

  13th August 2024

  The contract will deliver aircraft engineering support to the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) Merlin Helicopter Force and Wildcat Helicopter Force based out of RNAS Culdrose and RNAS Yeovilton respectively.

• Naval Warfare

  Virginia-class submarine USS Idaho launched

  15th August 2024

  The launch of the USS Idaho marks the halfway point of the Virginia-class series of submarines.

• Naval Warfare

  Italy orders fourth next-generation patrol vessel

  6th August 2024

  In August 2023, the Italian Secretariat General of Defence and National Armaments Directorate awarded a US$1 billion contract to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) for the construction of three next-generation patrol vessels and has now signed for a fourth.

• Defence Notes

  Broad demand for land and technology equipment boosts defence companies’ financial results

  6th February 2025

  Financial reporting season for the calendar year of 2024 has continued to show substantial growth for defence companies as countries across the world, particularly those in Europe, open the chequebook.

• Defence Notes

  Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard

  1st November 2024

  The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.

• Naval Warfare

  Second Gowind corvette delivered to UAE

  1st July 2024

  The Gowind 2500 corvettes, designed and built by France’s Naval Group, combine stealth features, resilience and high availability with anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  Italy aims for $26 billion vehicle investment and prepares for cyber defence

  3rd February 2025

  Italy’s Armoured Infantry Combat System (AICS) system began seven years ago in an effort to replace older vehicles such as M113s and the force is also looking to replace its C1 Ariete Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).

• Land Warfare

  Poland commits another $4.2 billion for howitzers and rocket launch systems

  5th December 2024

  Poland has signed contracts for US$14.4 billion in helicopters, $3 billion in light attack fighter aircraft and $6.5 billion in air and coastal defence systems and now billions more on rocket and artillery systems.

• Naval Warfare

  General Dynamics awarded $1.3 billion for Virginia submarines

  6th August 2024

  Around 50 Virginia class submarines are planned for the US Navy (USN) with a total of 38 currently ordered and 21 having been delivered from various blocks.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Type 206/209 Replacement (PLOTEOS) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure four new SSKs for the Colombian Navy. Saab, Navantia and Naval ...

• Corvettes

  Multirole Corvette Programme [Romania]

  Programme Background Timeline Romania, since 2014. has seen a significant increase in its defence budget, which has allowed for more room to procure modern platforms. In ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  PROSUB - SSK [Brazil]

  Programme Background The four new Riachuelo-class SSKs for the Brazilian Navy (BN) are based on the Scorpene submarine design from French shipbuilder Naval Group. The ...

• OPVs

  Patrouilleurs Hauturiers OPVS (former Patrouilleurs Océanique) [France]

  Programme Background Requirements The programme aims to procure new OPVs that will replace the D'Estienne d'Orves-class and the Flamant-class vessels. The OPVs are intended to be armed ...

• Submarines: conventional, attack

  Project Sea 1000 (Attack Class) - Cancelled [Australia]

  Programme Background The competition for Australia’s SEA 1000 Future Submarine project for 12 new SSKs was won by the French shipbuilder Naval Group in 2016 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Buque Multipropósito (LPDLH) [Colombia]

  The 2042 "Plan de Desarrollo Naval" (Naval Development Plan) outlines the intention to procure two amphibious transport ships with replenishment at sea capabilities. Talks are ...

• Minehunters

  Al Jawf Class Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Saudi Navy urges the replacement of three Al Jawf-class minehunters. Based on the Sandown-class design, the ships entered service in the ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarine Procurement [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarine Procurement [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarine Procurement (1-2) [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarine Procurement (1-2) [Indonesia]

  The Indonesian Navy has a long-standing desire for a larger submarine fleet. The TNI-AL currently has four SSKs in its inventory, including one Cakra-class submarine in ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  AW159 Philippines

  The AW159s arrived in Manila, but transported to Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite for reassembly. Subsequently they will be based there as part of ...

• Frigates

  Maharaja Lela Class [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Timeline The Maharaja Lela-class is being built by Boustead Naval Shipyards to a larger version of the stealthy Gowind 2500 corvette design from the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors, Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ

  The MP-4K-936 D/N PTZ is a day and night camera designed for detection and surveillance. It is marketed as both a standalone product and as part ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  IP Mesh Radios, SOL8SDR

  DTC’s NETNode IP mesh radios are tactical communications and surveillance solutions that are combined in a self-forming, self-healing mesh radio network. NETNode radios use the ...

• Data links

  SOLO COFM HD & SD Video Downlinks

  DTC offers a number of downlink solutions to support a range of missions, delivering high-resolution video images. There are multiple installation options for fixed-wing, rotary ...

• Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  Aquila PTZ

  The Aquila PTZ is a low-profile pan-tilt-zoom thermal surveillance system with a three-camera arrangement, comprising thermal imaging and day- and low-light cameras. Designed for use in ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  DroneTracker

  The DroneTracker software provides airspace monitoring and management through a browser interface. DroneTracker allows users to configure multiple sensors, active and passive countermeasures and alerts ...

• Heron

  The Heron is a portable, mid-sized USV that has been built for rapid prototyping. The Heron has a rugged design, and can be transported, deployed ...

• Pride

  Pride is a fixed-wing UAV designed for short-range surveillance and law enforcement applications. The system has an empty weight of 2.5kg. 

• Military - USVs

  Eclipse Class 11

  The Eclipse Class is a USV designed by Al Meer Marine that can serve as a surveillance platform or patrol craft. 

• Data links

  SOLO COFDM Receivers

  DTC provides a range of SD and HD COFDM receiver products including tactical handheld (NNV HD), briefcase (MIV) and infrastructure (PRORX) systems. There are a ...

• EO/IR systems

  Kestrel Block II

  The Kestrel Aerostat-Based Wide-Area Persistent Surveillance Sensor continuously collects and records a 360° view of an expansive area, both day and night, providing real-time and ...

• Military UGVs

  Gladiator TUGV

  The Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle (TUGV) was funded through a USMC programme to develop an armed, armoured UGV. The programme began in the mid-1990s, ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  SX-8000

  The SX-8000 is an autonomous C-UAS system developed for protecting the airspace of critical infrastructure and stationary facilities. It is marketed as both a standalone ...

• Military UGVs

  miniROV

  The miniROV is a six-wheeled EOD/IED disposal system supported by an operator control unit, which is fitted with a 30cm thin-film-transistor LCD screen. The vehicle can operate ...

• Military UGVs

  Taurus

  Unveiled at Singapore Airshow 2024, the Taurus is a medium UGV from ST Engineering. The multi-role vehicle can be used for surveillance, casualty evacuation, logistics transport and ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  SX-500

  The SX-500 is a compact surveillance radar that is not only capable of detecting targets, but also of calculating their distance, angle, velocity and direction ...